Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

I made this delightful treat for myself and my parents on gameday this weekend. I love peanut butter, I love popcorn, so I had a feeling only good things could happen. Plus, it was super fun to make popcorn in a big pot on the stove. I'd only ever done the microwave/bag version, and as the kernels were popping and bouncing off the lid, I was giggling like a little child. Anyway, I find this stuff quite addictive, I hope you will too!



Ingredients
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup light-colored corn syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe
1. Preheat oven to 250°.

2. Line a jelly-roll pan with parchment paper; coat paper with cooking spray.

3. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add popcorn; cover and cook 4 minutes, shaking pan frequently. When popping slows, remove pan from heat. Let stand until popping stops. Uncover; add almonds.

4. Combine sugar, syrup, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla; stir until smooth. Drizzle over popcorn; toss well. Spread mixture out onto prepared pan. Bake at 250° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely.