Halloween Caramel Corn
Grab some extra candy corn and whip up a batch of this tasty Halloween Caramel Corn!
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Here we are at the end of October. It’s that time of the year when goblins, ghosts and the next-door neighbor dressed up as Tom Brady come out looking for candy. Speaking of Halloween candy, I’ve been snacking on the stuff since late last month…and I know I’m not the only one. C’mon…admit it. You buy Halloween candy early, too. You say you’re just getting ready for the trick-or-treaters, but you’ve been sneaking some chocolate here and some candy corn there. It’s ok. I’ve been doing it, too.
A couple of months ago, my wife and I made a quick weekend trip over to Salem, Mass. Think back to your high school American history class. Remember the Salem Witch Trials? Yup, that same Salem. I found Salem to be a really charming town. Sure, there was a lot of touristy hype and a lot of witch paraphernalia…but there were also a lot of really fun shops.
And there were some pretty awesome graveyards there. (Yes, I just used awesome and graveyard in the same sentence.) But these graveyards were hundreds of years old. Some of the tombstones dated back to the late 1600’s. And there were big twisting trees scattered throughout. I’m sure those graveyards would have been spooky as heck at night…but we were there on a bright day. No ghosts were spotted on this trip.
One of the more unique aspects of Salem were the witchcraft shops. And I’m not talking about shops that sold brooms and black cats. I’m talking real deal Holyfield witchcraft. These shops had ritual tools (think cauldrons and wands), potions (not Love Potion #9) and all sorts of herbs and roots. Interestingly enough, a lot of the herbs and roots are things I use often in the kitchen. There were bay leaves (to win a court case), basil leaves (to help find love), cloves (to stop gossip) and poppy seeds (to have good dreams). I found these stores incredibly fascinating. I just hope none of the witches followed us home.
Halloween Caramel Corn
Ah, but back to Halloween candy. Is there a more iconic Halloween candy than candy corn? I grabbed a bag of candy corn to make this Halloween Caramel Corn, and I mistakenly picked up a mixed pack of candy corn. In addition to the classic candy corn, the bag also included chocolate (!) flavored candy corn as well as candy corn pumpkins. You know what? Don’t mess with a classic! Plain old candy corn is the way to go here, people! I promptly proceeded to pick out all of the classic candy corn from that mixed pack. I never thought I would find myself sorting candy corn…but it happened.
Since there is always candy corn left over after Halloween, I decided to use some of it to make this Halloween Caramel Corn. I basically took my go-to caramel corn recipe and added some candy corn and mini-marshmallows. The result? Amazing! My wife took one bite and declared it was really bad. So bad that I shouldn’t eat any of it. She volunteered to take one for the team and help get rid of the leftovers. I figured out her game, though…and then we spent the weekend eating Halloween Caramel Corn.
What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?
Candy corn–traditional or chocolate?
Do you love making Halloween treats? Try these other fun recipes!
Halloween Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1¼ cups brown sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp molasses
- ½ tsp salt
- 8 cups popped unflavored popcorn or 2 (3-oz) bags of microwavable popcorn
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 1 cup candy corn
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses and salt. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Continue to boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 265°F (this will take about 3-4 minutes after it starts to boil).
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 225°F and place the cooked popcorn, peanuts, candy corn and marshmallows in a large, heatproof bowl.
- Once the caramel mixture reaches 265°F, remove it from the heat and pour into the bowl with the popcorn; stir until well coated. (Note: The caramel mixture will be very sticky, so just stir as well as possible at this stage.)
- Transfer popcorn and peanuts to a foil-lined sheet pan and bake at 225°F for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven but do not stir.
- Let mixture cool and then break apart into pieces for serving.
I haven’t bought any halloween candy yet. I know, I am shocked too. We don’t get many trick or treaters round here, so all the more choclate for me. Mwuahahaha.
Are you still in the States, Dannii? If so, then you get a free pass for not getting Halloween candy yet. But you better get out and grab some soon…you know, in case it all disappears or something. 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever had chocolate candy corn, but anything chocolate is usually good in my book. Your trip to Salem sounds fun! I am kind of creepy in that I love old graveyards. We found some really old ones in England and they were so interesting. There’s nothing creepy about this candy caramel corn though. It sure was nice of your wife to take one for the team!
Yeah, usually chocolate wins…I’ll be the first to say that. But chocolate candy corn? No. Don’t mess with a classic. I bet the graveyards in England are awesome…maybe I’ll put that on my post-baby travel itinerary! 🙂
Hahaha – your wife’s a smart one, David! And you have a neighbor who dresses up as Tom Brady? Now that’s another smart way to come and finagle you out of your treats…hmmm…am beginning to think there are more advantages to moving upstate NYC than I thought! Hey this way I won’t have to try and get me one of those new X PlusOne drones – I’ll just throw on a Salem-Witch outfit and head on over and steal ALL your hallowen caramel corn!
Well I think I have a neighbor who dresses up as Tom Brady. But now that I think about it, maybe it’s just Tom Brady himself. Hmmm…I’ll have to try to pull his mask off this year to see what happens. Also, is it stealing if I readily offer it up? I’ll gladly share my candy corn with you…as long as you’re dressed like a witch.
Tom Brady looking for candy? I think that he’s more into deflating balls…
Anyways, if he shows up at your door do not, I repeat, DO NOT give him any of this awesome caramel corn. He certainly doesn’t deserve it!
#WolfpackPlans
Hey, you watch those words, Mike! I’m not a Patriots fan per se, but accusing Tom Brady will get you some dirty looks around here for sure. I saw a dude walking around in a Free Tom Brady shirt the other day. I need to find a shirt that says Fire Roger Goodell! Anyways, back to the candy corn. What would I do if you showed up dressed as Tom Brady? I mean it’s Mike…but it’s Tom Brady…but it’s Mike…
I’ve always wanted to visit Salem! I’ve heard it’s charming, so thanks for confirming that I MUST go some day! Anyways, I didn’t even know there was a non-traditional, impostor version of candy corn! Pffff… I would have picked through that bag too! I am loooving this Halloween caramel candy corn! Perfect for this week, and even better to munch on all day long! I bet this stuff is crack like in it’s addictive nature. #Dangerous Lucky for me I like to live on the edge. lol Give me alllll the caramel corn on the planet! Pinned! Cheers, buddy!
P.S. I’m not dressing up this year because we won’t get any trick-or-treaters out here in the boonies. Sad. What are you and the wifey dressing as?
Yes, I 100% confirm that you must visit Salem. Our first visit last year was a bit disappointing…but we didn’t realize there was so much more to Salem than just that main street. And it’s absolutely safe to say this caramel candy corn was addictive. It disappeared way too fast out of our kitchen! Hmmm…I honestly haven’t even thought about costumes this year. I keep telling Laura that she needs to do something fun because how often are you going to be uber-pregnant at Halloween? But I think we kinda forgot to plan ahead…we’ve had a couple other things on our minds lately. Imagine that!
Hi David! You know how I feel about candy corn, so would it be okay if I substituted bacon? And maybe pecans instead of peanuts? 🙂 Cemeteries have always fascinated me, well mostly the old (sometimes intricate) headstones.
Hahaha…so bacon pecan caramel clusters?? I think you’re on to something here, Dorothy…once again, I like the way your brain thinks. 🙂 And I remember way back in 7th grade (in Charleston, SC) we had to do a grave rubbing. We had to go to the local art store and buy huge tracing paper and charcoal…then we rubbed a gravestone to get the image. I think I heard they stopped allowing that, but it was a pretty cool project at the time.
Hi David! Kevin told me that you are going to the food bloggers convention in CA next month WOW! That will be such a great time! Getting to meet all your fellow food bloggers in person will be such a great experience! 🙂
Hmmm…I think Kevin was mistaken. Sadly. 🙁 I would love to get out there to a food bloggers convention, but with the new baby here at home, I suspect I won’t be doing much traveling the rest of this year. That’s ok, I’ll take a baby any day!
Hi David! I thought that might be the case – hey, you’ve got your priorities straight my friend! You can always go to another conference, but you only to see your first born enter your life once! 🙂
Exactly! There will always be more conferences. But for now, I’m ready for that baby!! 🙂
You found graveyards awesome David? I think these caramel corn are more than awesome for me, I’ll take these!
Haha…I guess that does sound a bit strange. But the gravestones were from like the 1600’s. One of them was someone who came over on the Mayflower. And then there were gravestones from some of the judges in the Salem Witch Trials. Crazy stuff! But yes, I’m perfectly happy sitting back munching on caramel corn, too! 🙂
Your trip to Salem, Mass. sounds fun but I don’t think I could have walked into a witchcraft shop. That stuff spooks me out!!! this caramel corn on the other hand? Gimme it all! I love how you used candy corn! The candy I always seem to have a ton of after Halloween! I’m not dressing up. . I know. . I know. . but my kids’ costumes are set! Cinderella and an angel 🙂
It was absolutely spooky, Alice…but I was totally curious. But we need to talk about you not dressing up this year. You HAVE to dress up…or at least put a fun witch hat on. You don’t even need to get all of the herbs and potions. Just a hat. Or you could go as Prince Charming to surprise your daughter. 🙂 Or you could just stay home and eat halloween caramel corn. That’s probably my vote right there!
David, I think this year you’ve got another potential Halloween symbol – lavender! (I hope that is not so though). And what a delicious caramel popcorn! If I say you ‘boo’, would you send some to me, ha-ha? 🙂
So did you know that witches throw lavender into mid-summer fires to bring peace and long life. And lavender is also used to attract men. Just sayin’. I would gladly send you some caramel corn…but I ate it all. Oops. 🙂
Caramel corn is one of my favorite Fall treats! Perfect way to use up leftover candy corn!
Thank you so much, Kelley! I love caramel corn, too…but I don’t love how fast it disappears around here. Haha!
Well thanks for scrapping Salem of my ‘to visit’ list. I am the biggest chicken and thought the Scream franchise was actual horror, instead of mock horror. Don’t ask.
This caramel corn on the other hand, I’m game- Although I’ll hold the candy corn, I got a sugar headache when I tried them at the bar (they replaced the nuts with it) and it was SO sweet!
Hahaha…you would go visit Salem only to find a witch jump out at you from beyond a tombstone. I’d pay to see that! I used to hate candy corn, but it’s grown on me lately…but you have to get the name brand stuff. The generic candy corn tastes like tire rubber.
Sounds like you had a great time in Salem…i don’t know if i could of done most of things you did but this popcorn sounds perfect for this time of year! Love how you added candy corn to it! 🙂
Thank you so much! This popcorn absolutely is perfect for this time of the year…and it’s a great way to use up all of that leftover candy corn, too! 🙂
This looks like a treat I wouldn’t be able to keep in my house for long either!
I actually JUST bought Halloween candy today, and it was a game of trying to get enough candy so that I don’t run out by 8 pm like last year, and not too much that I’m stuck with lots of candy to eat. I just opened a bag and ate my first caramel apple pop in years haha
Oh, the Halloween candy game. Don’t buy it too early or you’ll eat it all yourself. Don’t wait too late or you’ll have to battle hordes of last-minute shoppers doing the same thing. Don’t buy too much or (see the first rule). Don’t buy too little or you’ll have a crying princess on your doorstep…and no one needs a crying princess on their doorstep! 🙂 Thanks, Nicole…and happy Halloween!