My brother knows I am always looking for vintage family photos of Mom in her kitchen, and I was thrilled when he sent me this one, especially when I realized what she was proudly “showing off” in her oven. It’s Mom’s amazing and delicious Oven Baked Caramel Corn!
The holidays just weren’t complete until Mom made a huge batch of that sweet and salty treat.
I am mesmerized by Mom’s smile in that photo, and to say she cooked every dish with LOVE would be an understatement. There was no place she would rather be than in her kitchen, whether preparing for “company”, or just fixing a regular weekday meal for our family. And no matter who was coming to the table, every meal in her kitchen was as beautiful to look at as it was delicious to eat. (Gee…it must be genetic.)
And about that popcorn treat…I’ve recreated Mom’s recipe here for you.
Mom would make batch after batch of popcorn in her largest heavy-bottomed dutch oven. She would dump that popped corn into that gigantic granite roasting pan until she had at least EIGHT QUARTS of popped corn. (And just popping the popcorn always took longer than expected since my brother and I couldn’t seem to keep our hands out of it.) But when she FINALLY had enough fresh popped corn she would begin to make the caramel sauce that would eventually be stirred in before an hour of low and slow baking.
Our Christmas holiday preparations were in full swing when we smelled that sugary, buttery, salty caramel corn baking in that giant blue granite roasting pan. And while it baked I would hear the timer “ding” every fifteen minutes to remind Mom to stir that cauldron of YUM to keep the popcorn kernels from sticking together in that sweet, syrupy glaze. I can still hear the Christmas music playing on our big old stereo as the roasting pan finally emerged from the oven. My brother and I could never wait for the caramel corn to cool, and I always paid the price by feeling the sting of hot caramel sticking to the roof of my mouth. But it was SO worth it. Trust me. It was. And it still is today.
So give Mom’s recipe a try. And make your own memories.
I can almost taste that caramel corn.
And Mom’s smile is always with me…especially when I’m in my kitchen.
- 7-8 quarts of popped popcorn (salted to taste, or unsalted...your choice!)
- 2 C brown sugar
- 1/2 C white corn syrup
- 1 C butter
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- peanuts or mixed nuts if desired (Mom didn't add them...I don't either!)
- PREHEAT OVEN TO 200 DEGREES
- Pop 7 to 8 quarts of popcorn.
- Place in large roaster or ovenproof baking pan.
- Salt the popped corn, if desired, and set aside.
- PLEASE KEEP KIDS OUT OF KITCHEN FOR THIS NEXT STEP!
- In a large saucepan bring sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt to a boil.
- Boil for 5 minutes (or to 245 degrees if using a candy thermometer)
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in baking soda. Be careful!
- Mixture will foam and increase in volume!!! Don't get burned!
- Quickly pour the boiling mixture over popcorn in roasting pan and stir to completely coat the corn.
- Add nuts if desired and stir to mix well
- Bake at 200 degrees for ONE HOUR...STIRRING EVERY 15 MINUTES
- Remove from the oven and STIR SEVERAL TIMES WHILE COOLING
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container
- This caramel corn makes a perfect gift...if you don't eat it all yourself! Just pour into cellophane gift bags and tie with a decorative ribbon. Perfect for holiday giving!
Wow that is amazing !
Thanks Linda. It’s delicious too!
Thanks for sharing! And I’m sure many of our Amish neighbors make caramel corn and popcorn balls at Christmas! Happy Holidays to ALL of your Amish365 readers! 🙂
Hi Patty. Will try your Mom’s recipe. A lot safer then my Mom’s, mess up and you go to ER with 1st degree burns. Nice picture of your mother. Good times back in the days. I remember your good horse Patsy. What would you think about a Post Office recipe grouping. I think i could find a photo of the Walkers your Mom and Dad and my Dad. Guess who. Say Hi to Fred.
Hi Bryan! It’s SO GOOD to hear from you!! I would LOVE to write a Post Office recipe post! Those folks were amazing cooks, and I’ll never forget your mom and her homemade Christmas candy extravaganza! That was the first time I ever saw a marble slab being used to make candy. She was an amazing cook and baker, just like my mom! Send me a message and let’s see what photos we can put together.
Aren’t food and family and friends (and pets like my dear horse Patsy) memories awesome???
XOXO
Meemaw
Hi Patty. Will try your Mom’s recipe. A lot safer then my Mom’s, mess up and you go to ER with 1st degree burns. Nice picture of your mother. Good times back in the days. I remember your good horse Patsey. What would you think about a Post Office recipe grouping. I think i could find a photo of the Walkers your Mom and Dad and my Dad. Guess who. Say Hi to Fred.
It may take some time. Have a Grand daughter getting getting married soon and the youngest boy coming back from Oregon. And you went West too. I will do some digging to get recipes from all from the Post Office that I can find. Oh, I was always afraid to ride Ginger. When I find the photos and recipes, let’s meet to have coffee, I’m in North Liberty. Good times I will never get. All the best to you
Oh MY!!! How can you be old enough to have a GRANDDAUGHTER getting married!!??? Where have the years gone??? I would LOVE to meet you for coffee sometime. You can send me an email at meemaw@meemaweats.com to reconnect! Best wishes to you and your family and I look forward to hearing from you when you have the time! So many wonderful memories to discuss…
XOXO
Meemaw