Original Cracker Jacks made in the CrockPot Recipe

Did you know that you can use your crockpot to make Cracker Jack Snack Mix? YOU CAN! You really really really can!

I know. My mind is blown, too! :-)

did you know you could make cracker jacks snack mix in the crockpot slow cooker?

Day 110.

Last weekend, Marc Summers showed how the original cracker jacks recipe was made on Unwrapped.

I love Unwrapped.

The kids enjoy seeing their favorite candy come down the conveyor belt and get packaged, and Adam and I enjoy hearing about whatever "secret" ingredient makes the candy or snack special.

I also really like Marc Summers, because it reminds me of coming home after school to my grandparent's house and watching Double Dare.

I really wanted to be on Double Dare. My brother and I would set up makeshift obstacle courses to "practice" in case we were ever on the show.

We never applied or filled out any paperwork---- so I don't know how we thought we would magically appear in the TV, but that didn't' stop us from trying.

Anyhow, last weekend while watching Unwrapped, I muttered "I could make that" as Marc narrated the ingredients list for cracker jacks.

That's all it took for Adam and the kids to pop up and run off to the store, stopping at my parents to pick up an air popped popcorn machine.

I love how my parents keep everything so I don't have to.

The Ingredients.
I suppose this could feed 12 people. But instead it fed 4.

Did you know that you can use your crockpot to make Cracker Jack Snack Mix? YOU CAN! You really really really can! I know. My mind is blown, too! :-)

--an air popped popcorn machine, or the ability to make popcorn -- so you have popcorn.

1 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons molasses

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 to 2 cups peanuts (if salted, decrease salt by 1/3 or so)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup popcorn kernels

--parchment paper or nonstick foil

The Directions.

--put the sugar, corn syrup, molasses, and butter into your crockpot and set on high.

--pop the corn.

and then some more because your kids will eat it all.

my kids helping to make cracker jacks in the crockpot slow cooker

Get out a few mixing bowls in preparation for the popcorn coating.

Spread out a bunch of nonstick foil or parchment paper on your counter top or the floor so the popcorn will have room to cool and dry.

I used the floor. (capital K classy I tell you.... ) ;-)

You are melting and heating the corn syrup mixture until everything is hot and bubbly. This will take 1-3 hours, depending upon the size of your crockpot and your altitude.

Check on your concoction after 45 minutes, and every 15 min thereafter. The EHow article I referred to said to use a candy thermometer and that it is done at 250 degrees---I don't like candy thermometers, so eyeballed it.

When the candy coating looks hot, bubbly and everything is completely melted, mix in your popcorn and peanuts. If you don't have a big enough crockpot for everything to fit in nicely, put the popcorn in a large mixing bowl and carefully ladle the hot syrup over the top and mix with wooden spoons.

You may need to do a couple of batches.

It is okay if it doesn't look "perfect"--this is just for fun!

Spread the popcorn on the Release foil or parchment paper and sprinkle with the Kosher salt.
Taste--depending on how salty your peanuts were, you may need less or more salt.

I told you I used the floor!!

The Verdict.

We ate so much of this that we didn't eat any dinner!

It was very, very good. And very, very sticky.

We weren't smart enough to seal it up in an airtight container overnight, so it went all stale and funky over night.

the exact same way the real cracker jacks does!
:-)
:-)

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What they say about this article

Kerrie @ TFK4/19/2008
I want to lick my computer screen right now. I even bought a mini-crockpot because of this blog!
Canadian Saver4/19/2008
Wow. That looks soooooooooooooo good!!
Kristen M.4/19/2008
I can't wait to try this out.
Anonymous4/19/2008
thanx for the yummy popped corn ...now i miss more than ever those little blocks of pink popcorn that we used to buy at the zoo. chewy and memorable. on the way out, i'd buy some to have at home. never lasted very long. my fault.
Anonymous4/19/2008
Yum...

it's nice to know my brother and I weren't the only ones making Double Dare obstacle courses!
Jared4/19/2008
I love crackerjacks. Never thought of making them in a crockpot, but it does make a lot sense given how well a crockpot can melt things down. Might make myself a batch to go with watching basketball tomorrow.
Stephanie C.4/19/2008
Boy, does this sound good. Thanks!
linda4/20/2008
I will be trying this recipe very soon.. We are big baseball fans and we consume lots of cracker jacks during the summer months..
Amie4/20/2008
I loved double dare! and I love carmel corn/kettle corn/cracker jacks/all of the aboe!
Ice Cream4/20/2008
Perfect! I am going to make this tomorrow for our Family Night treat.

I am LOVING your blog and all the great ideas and recipes you've given. You have saved my butt several times (it is so hard to want to cook when pregnant).
Emily (Laundry and Lullabies)5/06/2008
My three year old and I made this a few days ago - it was marvelous! You're right that it doesn't save well, though. :)
Ginger Lee12/02/2008
OMG - I had totally forgotten about double dare until I ran across your blog. My brother and I totally wanted to be on that show. Thank you so much for your wonderful site, I have already printed out a bunch of your recipes so I'll be ready to fire up the crockpot for the holidays. hugs!
Sabrina1/04/2009
I am SO going to try this soon.
Anonymous12/29/2010
I know this hasn't been commented on in a while, but...

I am trying to come up with some good ideas for New Year's Eve with a 3 year old. We will be making this as a special "treat". Thanks!