As is the case with any holiday, Halloween has its share of traditions. From crazy costumes to haunted houses to the candy and treats connected with this end-of-October fright-fest, it's a time that kids-and many adults-look forward to all year.
The neighborhood youth will rush from house to house under the weight of an increasingly heavy goodie bag, then it's time to go home and sort it all out. Life doesn't get much great in a kid's world than that! As they spread their spoils out before them, they'll find a wide assortment of candy bars, lollipops, and other wrapped candies. And occasionally they might land a tiny something out of the commonplace which they'll boast about to their friends or siblings.
Pops Lollipops
But some of the "traditional" fare such as popcorn balls or candy apples have long since been left out of trick-or-treat bags in favor of something that's a tiny easier to derive and distribute
Caramel Popcorn: A Halloween Tradition
Ahh, but we reflect back upon the traditions. Remember popcorn balls? everybody used to end up with a few of these in his or her trick-or-treat bag. But we don't seem to see them nearby much anymore. However, still loving (and craving?) the caramel-and-popcorn combination, we've naturally gravitated towards caramel corn. It's a yummy staple while the Halloween season.
Caramel popcorn or "caramel corn" is still a very beloved and primary Halloween treat for both kids and adults. The aggregate of popcorn covered in a caramel coating can be somewhat irresistible, and although you might not settle to hand any out to the trick-or-treaters, family and friends will truly appreciate having some of this sweet stuff available to them.
If you've never made it before, you're wondering, "How exactly do I make caramel popcorn?" For some reason, the concept of manufacture caramel corn is roughly as frightening to some as that creepy haunted house down the road (where you're not well sure if it's decked out for Halloween or if it's the real deal!). But actually, the process is pretty simple. And aren't you lucky! You happen to have instructions on how to make caramel corn right here:
Caramel Popcorn
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 quarts popped popcorn
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place popcorn in a very large bowl. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for about four minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.
Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool wholly before breaking into pieces.
Be careful, because this stuff is so good that you very well might start a tradition nearby your house. You can hear it now, "Are you gonna be manufacture caramel corn again this year, Mom?"
Now go forth and enjoy the Halloween festivities!
Caramel Popcorn: A Halloween Tradition