Don't you just love salty and sweet in the same bite? This recipe is an oldie-but-goodie that first came to me from my aunt. She didn't make it salty, she used the microwave rather the stovetop and oven, and she used corn syrup. I think she'll approve of the few changes I made to create Salted Caramel Cashew Corn.
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Salted Caramel Cashew Corn simply a mix of popcorn, Chex-type cereal, and cashews covered in caramel. Be sure to get the corn or rice Chex to keep it gluten-free!
Easy Homemade Popcorn
You can buy microwave popcorn and even already popped popcorn! But look at the bottom of the recipe card below for instructions to make your own popcorn at home. Really, it couldn't be more simple, takes about as much time as putting a bag in the microwave, and it's so much healthier for you than microwave popcorn!
The caramel is butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla all boiled till caramel results.
Then it's poured over the popcorn, Chex, and cashews, stirred till everything is coated, then spread onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Then the magic happens ... sprinkling it with beautiful, flaky salt. Use kosher salt or Maldon salt.
Oh my ... just look at that Salted Caramel Cashew Corn goodness. Put it in the oven for about an hour at 250F.
Let it cool before serving, storing, or wrapping for gifts.
Ideas for serving Salted Caramel Cashew Corn:
- Birthday parties - both for party food and party favors!
- Snacks for trips
- Neighbors' Gifts at the holidays
- Super Bowl Party
- July 4th Potluck
- You get the idea ... any and everything!
I love serving it in small paper cups and as always, those cellophane bags make gift giving easy!
Other Snack Ideas You Might Like:
Recipe
Salted Caramel Cashew Corn
Ingredients
- 4½ cups Chex-type cereal corn, rice, or combination
- 4 cups popped corn see notes
- ½ cup cashew halves
For the Caramel
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons flakey salt or to your taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 250°F.
- Mix the Chex, popcorn, and cashews in a large bowl.
For the Caramel
- Put the butter, dark brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat, add the baking soda, and pour over the cereal mixture. Stir with a spoon or rubber spatula until evenly coated
- Spread the Salted Caramel Cashew Corn on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for one hour, stirring occasionally.
- Let cool, then store in a large glass container, or package it for gifts.
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