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bake sale week: homemade cracker jack
I thought I’d do something for bake sale week that goes a little beyond the ordinary. Most of the time, we’re thinking brownies and cupcakes, but I remember one time, on an episode of The Barefoot Contessa, when Ina was asked to donate something to a local bake sale. She ended up making little cellophane bags filled homemade marshmallows with toasted coconut. And I’m sure they were sold out in about 14 seconds.
Today, I wanted to do something along the same lines. First I thought of making caramel popcorn drizzled with melted chocolate, which is always a good idea. But then, as the popcorn was in the oven, I spied my jar of peanuts on the shelf, and I fancied making homemade cracker jack instead. The peanuts were almost gone, and I almost dropped the idea, but then reasoned that peanuts are probably the main reason bake sales are hardly ever done anymore in this country.
All that said, this cracker jack is basically only caramel popcorn. But once you put it in cute bags with labels (you can download my PDF labels here), and throw in a cheap dime store toy, you’ll be the hit of the bake sale.
homemade cracker jack
Just a word of warning. Some people may just have a talent for caramel popcorn, some people don’t. I’m one of those people, and for me it’s a bit hit and miss. It takes some practice to really hit the texture just right. But it will almost always taste good, so I’m sure you’ll be happy, whichever kind of person you are.
16 cups air popped popcorn (1 cup un-popped)
1/2 cup raw peanuts, shelled
2 sticks butter
2 cups light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon very good vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
small toys
1. Preheat oven to 200 (or 220 high altitude). Place popcorn and peanuts (if using) in a very large bowl.
2. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in sugar, salt, and corn syrup. Stir occasionally until it comes to a nice easy boil. Once it is boiling low and steady, stir constantly for 5 minutes. If the boil becomes too rapid, lower the heat. After five minutes, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda until mixed.
3. Pour over popcorn, and, working quickly, stir well to get all the popcorn coated as well as possible. Pour onto a very large baking sheet, or two regular baking sheets, and bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping the popcorn over every 10 minutes or so to ensure even baking/drying.
4. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Place a small toy wrapped in a small ziploc bag (to ensure safety). Divide popcorn among the bags and place a label on each bag.
9 Responses to “bake sale week: homemade cracker jack”
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I’m coming out of the shadows to say what a brilliant idea for a bake sale. My little guy doesn’t do cows’ milk or gluten; “sweet popcorn” is my go-to treat for him…and for me whenever I want a quick sugar hit. I now know what I’ll be putting out for the next school “bun sale” (as these things are called in England).
So glad you came out of the shadows, Starr! While I was writing this, I was actually wondering what bake sales are called in England!! Thanks for answering my question. And I’ll have to think up some gluten-free milk-free recipes. What about French macarons? Can he have eggs?
Glad to help answer unasked questions. If you’ve got anymore that need verbalizing, throw them my way.
Macarons. Yum. A good friend of mine brought up a few from Laduree in London (Harrods) as a you-had-a-baby gift recently. I don’t know if my munchkin would eat them (he’s terribly picky), and I was too greedy to even offer to share….
Ah, yes, well, macarons are much too good for sharing . . . but if you can make them yourself, then that’s a sure way to get more than you could eat alone. Do you have a food processor?
Do I have a food processor: Yes. Is it in this country: Nope. Why do you ask? Would that help in the macaron-making process?
Yes, the food processor can grind up the almonds very very fine. which allows you to make a better macaron than you could without one.
I used to love cracker jacks as a kid
[...] with bake sale cupcakes? Start the school year with something different: homemade cracker jack mix. Toss a toy in with your caramel popcorn, add a clip-art label, and you'll be set to impress. [...]
This is brilliant! I am always the mom who buys brownies at the store, tosses on a few sprinkles and then plops them on my own plate to make them look homemade. I know I’m not fooling anybody, but it helps my soul.
The next bake sale my little guys has I’m going to do this and be Bakesale Mother of the Year. Thanks for sharing!