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Maple-Caramel Popcorn and Peanuts

Tucker Shaw

BY Tucker Shaw

PUBLISHED November 10, 2025

This recipe is inspired by Crunch ‘n Munch, Cracker Jack, and Fiddle Faddle. You can use any plain popped popcorn you like—stovetop, microwave, or store-bought. Just make sure you discard any un-popped kernels.

 

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Maple-Caramel Popcorn and Peanuts

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Makes 10 cups 1x

Time 25 minutes

Units Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 10 cups plain popped popcorn
  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the brown sugar and maple syrup and continue stirring until mixture reaches a gentle simmer.  Stop stirring and cook, undisturbed, for 5 minutes. Place popcorn in a large bowl. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
  2. Turn off heat and stir in the baking soda. The mixture will foam up briefly; stir gently until foaming mostly subsides.
  3. Drizzle the caramel mixture (be careful, it’s really hot!) over the popcorn and gently fold, taking care not to crush the popcorn. Sprinkle the peanuts over the top and fold again. Carefully spread the mixture onto prepared sheet pan to cool, at least 10 minutes. Serve.

— Recipe by Tucker Shaw

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