Golden, sticky clouds of sweet chaos, each kernel drenched in molten caramel spiced with whispers of cinnamon and nutmeg. The crunch cracks like sugar lightning, leaving a warm, buttery haze on your fingers and tongue. It’s simple, decadent, and dangerously addictive—a homemade spell you can’t resist. One handful and the world blurs into sticky, spiced perfection.
Ingredients
150g popcorn maize
220g roasted peanuts
140g golden brown sugar
50g butter
60ml golden syrup
2 tsps vanilla esence
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Instructions
1) Preheat the oven to 150C/Gas 1. Generously butter heavy large baking pan. Mix warm popcorn and peanuts in prepared pan. Place in oven while preparing syrup.
2) Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Attach clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until thermometer registers 107C, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract, salt and baking soda (mixture will bubble). Gradually pour syrup over popcorn and nuts completely.
3) Bake until caramel feels dry, stirring frequently, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Using metal spatula, scrape mixture from bottom of pan to loosen. Cool completely in pan. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)
