Caramel Apple-Popcorn Balls with Peanuts

To celebrate Good Cook's Free Popcorn and Popcorn Giveaway on Facebook, as part of a sponsored post for Good Cook, I made Caramel Apple-Popcorn Balls with Peanuts. #goodcookcom

One thing I love about Fall is our family's trips to Apple Hill. Apple Hill is a group {55 to be exact} of apple orchards in El Dorado County. It's the cutest place with awesome things to do with kids in the Fall, such as a fishing pond, pony rides, pumpkin patch(es), hay rides and more. One of my favorite things to do in Apple Hill is visit the fudge shop and buy delicious caramel apples to celebrate the Fall season. They are so beautiful and delicious - it really doesn't matter how sticky my hands or face get while enjoying a classic Fall treat!

When I was recently asked to create a recipe using homemade popcorn balls, the decision came all too fast - Caramel Apple-Popcorn Balls with Peanuts. The popcorn balls include chopped dried apples, peanuts and cinnamon; all held together with a homemade sugar syrup that I colored green with food color. I then rolled them in melted caramel {I had no idea and feel silly knowing now how easy this is to do!} and let them set in the fridge. So easy and so tasty! I made two batches, one with and one without peanuts, both were wonderful but I did prefer the addition of the peanuts.

Let me share how easy these beauties are to make!

First you need some popcorn. 6 cups to be exact.

In a heatproof bowl, spray with cooking spray and add the popcorn, chopped dried apples, peanuts and cinnamon. Mix well. Set aside.

Over high heat, bring sugar, light corn syrup, water, vinegar and salt to 260 degrees.

Remove from heat and add food coloring. {I made two batches and liked the color of 7 drops of green the best.}

Immediately pour over popcorn mixture and start to mix. I used a Good Cook rubber spatula which worked wonderfully! The idea is to get every piece coated.

Next, it was time to shape the popcorn into balls. Since this will be done easiest while syrup is still warm, do it as fast as possible!

I used a Good Cook Popcorn Baller which not only made perfect balls, but also made working with the hot mixture an easy feat. Just put some popcorn in the baller and press the lid down. Easy as pie. :) {If you are interested in your own Popcorn Baller, use coupon code: POPCORN to save 25% on one at goodcook.com or go check out their Free Popcorn and Popcorn Baller Giveaway on Facebook!}

Then insert popsicle sticks and let set in fridge for 30 minutes.

In a microwave-safe bowl add 14oz caramels {the individually wrapped ones} and 2 tablespoons of milk. Microwave, on high heat, for 1 minute then stir and cook for an additional minute. Stir again and let sit for about a minute and start rolling the popcorn balls in the caramel. It will be extremely hot, so please be careful! Place on parchment paper and set in fridge for an additional 30 minutes.

Look how cute these Caramel Apple-Popcorn Balls with Peanuts look in these Good Cook treat bags! I am totally going to make these for a Halloween Party that we attend every year. So cute and the kids are in love with the characters on the bags.

Caramel Apple-Popcorn Balls with Peanuts
(PRINTABLE RECIPE)
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
6 cups white popcorn, popped
1¼ cup dried apples, chopped
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup light corn syrup
⅓ cup water
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
green food coloring
4 popsicle sticks
14oz caramels {the kind you need to unwrap}
2 tablespoons milk
Directions
1. Spray heatproof bowl with baking spray and add popcorn, apples, peanuts and cinnamon. Mix well.
2. Over hight heat, bring sugar, corn syrup, water, vinegar and salt to boil. Heat to 260 degrees.
3. Remove from heat and add food coloring.
4. Pour syrup over popcorn mixture and mix well until all popcorn, apples and peanuts are coated.
5. Shape into balls. {I used a Good Cook Popcorn Baller which worked wonders!} Insert sticks into each ball. Let set in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
6. In microwave safe bowl, add caramels and milk. Heat in microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Heat for another minute, stir and let sit for a minute.
7. Roll popcorn balls in melted caramels. Set on parchment paper, on a flat surface and chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes.