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
Robin… I’m great grandmom these days and still following my family to baseball games. Because my cooking prowess hasn’t made me a legend, I made your Cracker Jack’s recipe. My report is a compilation of the ‘thumbs-up’ I received from a select panel of tasters. Imagine…they loved them. We have our baseball snack bagged and ready for tomorrow’s game. By the way, snow is in the forecast. Thanks for making me look so good! Marie
What great memories they will have of you making these homemade Cracker Jacks for them! I hope you enjoy the game! (Our forecast is the opposite of snow! 🙂 )
Hi beautiful LADY..my pastor loves, loves, cracker Jack’s going to see what he thinks of your recipe. Thanks for sharing I’ll let you know the results
Thanks, Carolyn. I hope your pastor enjoys these Cracker Jacks.