Homemade Kettle Korn

Oh my! I am obsessed with Kettle Korn. Every year, at least once a year, I have to buy at least one bag of it at some carnival or fair. Really, whoever thought it up is a genius. Microwave Kettle Korn bags just don't do it justice. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found a general recipe for it, tried it and found that it's basically exactly the same as carnival style! At home. For a fraction of the cost!!

Some of you may not know what Kettle Korn is. How to describe it exactly? Hmmm... it's like a very lightly carameled corn that's also salty. A sweet and salty combo. It is fabulous! It would also make a great party food... cheap and easy!

Homemade Kettle Korn

• 1/4-1/3 c. popcorn kernels
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• enough water to make the sugar into a slurry
• 1-2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 tsp salt

Pour the kernels into a brown paper bag (lunch bag style) and fold down about 1/2 an inch twice. Staple it twice (side by side in a line) with, yes, metal staples. It'll work, trust me.

Microwave on your popcorn setting. It really is safe to do this. Just treat it as you would any microwave popcorn bag. When it's done, pour it into a bowl, shake to separate the unpopped kernels and scoop the popcorn out, leaving the kernels behind. This is very important! Trust me, eating kettle korn kernels is not pleasant.

Mix the sugar and water together in a small saucepan (preferable non stick) and heat over medium heat. It'll get bubbly as the water boils off. Boil it for a while, until it turns a pretty golden color. It will smell slightly burnt. That's basically what caramel is... burnt sugar. :)

Slurry

Beginning to boil

Beautiful Amber Color

Note: Do not get this stuff on your skin and don't do this with kids around. This hot sugar is basically molten lava and sticks to you as it burns you. Also... do not try to lick it off if it does happen to get on you. Trust me...

Once it's a beautiful amber color, turn off the heat, quickly stir in the butter until melted and pour over the popcorn, stirring the popcorn to get it well coated. Sprinkled with salt and any other seasonings you desire. You can spread this out to cool on a cookie sheet or just keep it in the bowl. You really should wait for it to cool (again, trust me...). If you opt for the bowl version, you'll have to break it up as you eat it. Yum!!

Serves: Just one of me or maybe 3 normal people :) (How'd you like my step by step with pictures? Is it helpful? I think I'm getting the hang of taking blog pictures!)

Finding a way to make one of your favorite treats at home? I'd call that a Finer Thing! Check out Life as Mom's URS for other great game day recipe ideas! For other great frugal ideas, check out Frugal Friday!