This Homemade Cracker Jack recipe brings the classic sweet and salty snack right to your kitchen! With crunchy popcorn, roasted peanuts, and a homemade caramel coating, it’s a nostalgic treat that’s perfect for movie nights, parties, or simply satisfying your snack cravings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Taste of Nostalgia: This recipe captures the classic flavor and crunch of Cracker Jack, bringing back fond memories of childhood treats and ballpark snacks.
Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can easily recreate this beloved snack at home.
Control Over Ingredients: Making your own Cracker Jack allows you to control the quality of ingredients and avoid any artificial flavors or preservatives.

Ingredients

Natural popcorn: Use natural popcorn kernels and pop them on the stovetop or in an air popper.
Spanish peanuts: Roasted Spanish peanuts add a salty and crunchy element.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a rich caramel flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and helps to create a smooth caramel coating.
Dark corn syrup: Helps to create a chewy texture and prevents the caramel from crystallizing.
Molasses: Adds a deeper caramel flavor and a hint of bitterness.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Baking soda: Creates a light and airy texture in the caramel.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Homemade Cracker Jack

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Prepare the Popcorn and Peanuts

Spread the popped popcorn and Spanish peanuts in an even layer on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Coating

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, molasses, and salt.
Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is melted and the mixture comes to a simmer.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the baking soda. The mixture will foam up slightly.

Step 4: Coat and Bake

Quickly pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and peanuts on the baking sheets.
Use a greased spatula to toss the mixture until the popcorn and peanuts are evenly coated with caramel.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, stirring the mixture halfway through to ensure even baking.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the Cracker Jack to cool completely. This will allow the caramel to set and become crunchy.
Once cooled, break apart any large clumps and store the Homemade Cracker Jack in an airtight container at room temperature.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Even Coating: Make sure the popcorn and peanuts are evenly coated with the caramel mixture for the best flavor and texture.
Don’t Overcook: Overcooking the caramel will make it too hard and difficult to eat. Bake the Cracker Jack just until the caramel is set and golden brown.
Cool Completely: Allow the Cracker Jack to cool completely before storing it to prevent it from becoming sticky and clumping together.

How to Serve

This Homemade Cracker Jack is delicious on its own as a snack or can be enjoyed:

At the movies: A classic movie snack that’s perfect for sharing.
At parties: Serve it in bowls or individual cups for a fun and festive party snack.
As a topping: Crumble it over ice cream or yogurt for a crunchy and sweet topping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Cracker Jack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Freezing

You can also freeze the Cracker Jack for up to 3 months.

FAQs

1. Can I use microwave popcorn?

While it’s best to use natural popcorn kernels for a fresher flavor and better texture, you can use microwave popcorn in a pinch. Just make sure to remove any unpopped kernels before adding the caramel coating.

2. Can I use a different type of nut?

Yes, you can substitute Spanish peanuts with any other type of nut you like, such as cashews, almonds, or pecans.

3. Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can use vegan butter and corn syrup to make this recipe vegan.

4. Why is my caramel too hard?

If your caramel is too hard, it’s likely that you overcooked it. Make sure to bake the Cracker Jack just until the caramel is set and golden brown.