Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Pecan Crunch
Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Pecan Crunch - the name says it all. Freshly popped corn and toasted pecans baked in a dreamy caramel sauce and finished with a drizzle of melted chocolate. Every bite is pure heaven!
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 364kcal
Ingredients
- 12 cups fresh popped unsalted popcorn (about ¾ cup unpopped corn) (See Note 1)
- 2 cups toasted pecan pieces (See Note 2)
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup firmly packed (7.5 ounces) light brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate melting wafer melted according to package directions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250° F.
- Place popped corn into a large bowl; add toasted pecans on the top.
- Heat the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until butter is melted. Reduce heat to medium low; cook, undisturbed and uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract and baking soda.
- Pour the caramel over the pecans and popcorn; stir to coat.
- Spread the mixture onto an ungreased, large disposable aluminum roasting pan. (See Note 3)
- Bake for one hour and 15 minutes, removing every 15 minutes to stir.
- Spread the mixture onto parchment paper to cool. It may seem sticky at first, but will dry as it cools.
- Once caramel corn is cooled, drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
- Store in airtight container for up to a week.
- Yield: 14 to 15 cups.
Notes
- To easily pop the popcorn, place ¼ cup of unpopped corn in a brown lunch bag. Fold top 3 times. Place side down in microwave, and select popcorn setting. Repeat two more times.
- To toast pecans, place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350° F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch closely to prevent over-toasting.
- I used a 15-3/16 x 11-5/16 inch disposable aluminum roasting pan.
Nutrition
Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.9mg
