Author Notes
This compulsively addictive crunchy treat is great to give away--since that's basically the only way you'll avoid eating the entire salty-spicy batch yourself in one sitting. Thank heaven its sweetness comes from maple syrup and not sugar--between that, the pecans and the cranberries, you'll end up feeling less like a pusher!
—gluttonforlife
Ingredients
-
8 cups
plain popcorn, popped
-
1 cup
pecans, toasted and chopped
-
1 cup
dried cranberries
-
6 tablespoons
salted butter (3/4 stick)
-
1 1/2 cups
maple syrup (preferably grade B)
-
1 teaspoon
cayenne (or to taste)
-
1 teaspoon
sea salt
Directions
-
Toss popcorn, pecans and cranberries together in a large bowl.
-
Line a large cookie sheet with foil and lightly oil.
-
Melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add maple syrup, salt and cayenne and boil (still over medium heat), without stirring, until thermometer registers 280°F, about 20 minutes.
-
Pour over popcorn and stir immediately with a silicone spatula to coat. Then quickly spread mixture on cookie sheet in a single layer (if possible). Cool completely and break into bite-size pieces.
-
To give away, package in tins, wax paper bags or cellophane bags.
See what other Food52ers are saying.