Homemade Cracker Jacks made with caramel, popcorn, and peanuts makes a classic childhood treat!
The perfect blend of salty, sweet, and nutty are all in this favorite popcorn recipe for homemade cracker jacks. They are so simple to make that having the recipe may be kind of dangerous! Ha!
Great for making to serve at parties or to snack on during rainy afternoons watching movies, this is one treat that I think you’ll turn to time and again. I remember my Grandmother making this, especially in the late summer, and am so glad she gave me the recipe when I was married.
I made it to serve at a baseball birthday party we had for Little Buddy when he was a wee one and it was an absolute hit! It has been a request of his ever since! With one bite, it is so easy to see why!
Here’s the recipe Grandmother gave me for Homemade Cracker Jacks. I think you’ll love it!
Homemade Cracker Jacks Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups salted red skinned peanuts
- 15 cups popped corn, approximately 1/2 cup unpopped kernels
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200º F.
- Place popped corn and peanuts in large bowl. Stir until mixed well.
- Place brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter into medium saucepan. Bring to boil and boil slowly for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. Pour over popped corn and peanut mixture, stirring until well coated. Spread evenly on two large baking sheets.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool and store in airtight containers.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Singing the Cracker Jacks song in my head, this looks amazing. Dropped by from Teagan’s amazing blog and so happy I did. Now following (and sharing). 🙂 Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂
Hi Donna –
I am so glad you dropped in for a visit! I’m glad you are visiting and sharing and hope you enjoy all my recipes! Thank you so very much! Take care – it’s great to hear from you! xo
I tried this recipe and looked great but when I started to bake my popcorn on 200 degree preheated oven the caramel started to burn and made it taste nasty so I tried a new batch and turned the oven on at 150 and still the same thing. I made the recipe according to the directions where did I go wrong?
This recipe is outstanding! Made it for a 50s party. Didn’t have spanish peanuts, so used regular roasted/salted and I did 1 cup light & half cup dark brown sugar. This recipe is a keeper – thanks!
Are you using Fahrenheit or Celsius?
Hi I’m in Australia – what is classed as a stick of butter – how much is in it – loved Crackerjacks as a kid and would really love to make this for my kids!!!
118 milliliters
12 cup
8 tablespoons
1/4 pound butter
Last night was movie night for our family, so I made two recipes. We all agreed, this was way better than the movie!
Totally irresistible! I want this now!
I live in Australia and had no idea what crackerjacks were; so glad i’ve been educated! yum, yum, yummmm!
It’s been YEARS since I’ve had Cracker Jacks. Thanks so much for sharing this 🙂
LOVE Cracker Jacks! So fun (and dangerous ;)) to know it’s easy to make at home.
I love that you made homemade Cracker Jacks!