TRICK-OR-TREAT CARAMEL CORN

TRICK-OR-TREAT CARAMEL CORN

A perfect Halloween party treat!

16 cups plain popped popcorn

5 cups miniature pretzels

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup LAND O LAKES Butter

1/2 cup dark corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup salted peanuts

1 cup candy-coated milk chocolate pieces

1 cup candy corn

Heat oven to 200°F. Combine popcorn and pretzels in large roasting pan; set aside.
Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (18 to 20 minutes). Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a soft ball or candy thermometer reaches 238°F (4 to 6 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.
Pour mixture over popcorn and pretzels; sprinkle peanuts over popcorn mixture. Stir until all popcorn is coated.
Bake for 20 minutes; stir. Continue baking for 20 minutes. Stir in chocolate pieces and candy corn. Continue baking for 5 minutes. Immediately spread onto waxed paper to cool. Store in tightly covered container. Yield: 26 (1-cup) servings