Did you get the brown paper bag in yesterdays Sunday paper? It was from Office Max and everything you fit inside is 15% off. Here is another way to use the bag. I used it to make a yummy Sunday snack with my kids. We love to make Caramel Popcorn in a bag….yes a brown paper bag.
You will need
- 5 quarts of popcorn
- 1/2 cup Karo Syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 large brown paper bag
Measure 5 quarts of popcorn, and pour into a brown paper bag.
Set aside, while you make the caramel
In a large sauce pan add:
- 1/2 cup Karo Syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
Stir over Medium heat, bring to a boil.
Once it comes to boil…cook for 2 mins, then take off heat.
Add 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla…..this will cause the caramel to change color and get “fluffy”
Quickly pour the Caramel on top of popcorn, fold the top over and SHAKE….SHAKE…. SHAKE about 30 seconds
The Caramel will start to coat the popcorn, but will still be one large clump.
You will want to put the whole paper bag in your microwave for 1 minute....then take out and Shake again for 30 seconds
and repeat this 2 more times….for a total cooking time of 3 mins in the microwave.
This is my little boy Matthew….laughing as he does the shake, shake, shake dance with our popcorn. Got to love the black socks with shorts. We are also in the middle of a kitchen remodel, so we have subfloor right now in our kitchen….tile goes in this week!!!
After you have cooked it 3 times for 1 minute …..the popcorn will be fully coated. It will still be hot and sticky so you will need to pour it out into a large bowl, and stir till it cools. Once cooled it will no longer be sticky. It will be crunchy like cracker jacks.
It is hot and sticky, but comes right out of the bag. As long as you pour it out while it is hot. Hope you enjoy this Thrifty Recipe!
Sure Lindsay…..It is such a mess right now….I feel like I am living in a crisis zone…but It will be worth in the end
I was wondering if some day you could show us a before and after picture of your house, I know it is really none of my business I am just amazed at how much you guys are doing. We bought a 100 year old house in a couple years ago and have completely redone it but here is still more to do, we finally just tiled the dining room, you guys seem to be getting so much done in such a short period of time I would love to see the transition!
Sounds like a great recipe, but the Office Depot paper bag may not be a good idea as it was not intended for food use.
From: http://www.extension.org/pages/Unusual_Containers_for_Preparing_Food_Not_Always_Safe
•Brown paper grocery bags: Yes, brown paper grocery bags are intended to hold food. However, the food typically placed in brown paper bags is in packages or containers. Grocery bags are not a sanitary container for mixing or coating snacks (their example: with powdered sugar).
Instead, use a bowl or a zip-type plastic bag.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture does not recommend using grocery bags for cooking, either. The bag may ignite and cause a fire in the oven. The ink, glue and recycled materials can emit toxic fumes. (The latter being still a worry with microwave ovens.)
Just a FYI I use maple syrup (the fake stuff) it’s made of corn syrup anyway and I can get it cheaper than Karo, plus I like the maple taste it seems more carmely for me. It is a little runnier so beware, but it can make for a more gooey carmel popcorn which I like. I’ve never tried the bag before what a great idea.
My grandma gave me that recipe and it’s SO fun and yummy!
We did this as a kid! Thank you so much for the recipe-what a fun activity and treat to do with the kids!!
Looks yummy! Thanks!
Thanks!! Great idea yummm!
You’re a genius!! I was thinking it would be a pity to toss the paper bag, and didn’t know what to do with it. We’re doing this for sure!!
Adorable!! I LOVE IT!! Totally a great thing to do on a cold, rainy day outside!! Great movie popcorn! The kids will love it (so will I!) Thank you!!!
We’re trying this one after school today, THANKS!
Thanks I can’t wait to try it.
Awesome! Looks like a fun thing to do for Family Home Evening tonight. Now to figure a lesson to go with it – lol!
Jean just roll the top of the bag down tight and place in microwave….I have a turn table too…I just set it on top…it can’t turn…but works fine…hope that helps
I love caramel popcorn and this looks so easy.
Thanks for the idea.
The question I have is how do you get the big bag in the microwave? My microwave has a turntable and the bag would be to big to turn in the microwave.