Sunday, September 13, 2009

Caramel Puffcorn….A Sweet Midwestern Addiction



Before we had our daughter, Pete and I lived like nomads, wandering all over the country. We moved from Milwaukee to San Diego to Tampa to Indianapolis to Grand Rapids and, finally, to Minneapolis. Yes, I am a Midwestern girl at heart. I don’t even mind a good snowstorm now and then--after all, it comes with the territory. I’m sure that all of the cold weather has something to do with the proliferation of comfort food that is served up in these parts. In our many travels, I was surprised at the some of the things that I could only find in Wisconsin or Minnesota. One thing in particular is that oddest of snack foods known as Puffcorn.


Puffcorn is manufactured in St. Paul under the brand Old Dutch (I know, I know—there is that weird Dutch connection again). Old Dutch, by the way, is the inventor of the fabulous dill pickle flavored potato chip. But, I digress….let’s talk about Puffcorn. What is it? According to the bag, Puffcorn has a “fresh popcorn flavor that simply melts in your mouth without any hard kernels of hulls”. Hmmm. The fresh popcorn flavor is a bit of a stretch, but it is true that it melts in your mouth. Think Cheeto’s, the puffed kind, without the cheese. By itself, I’m not a huge fan of Puffcorn. But, follow the recipe on the back of the bag for Caramel Puffcorn and, oh my god, pure heaven! This caramel corn absolutely melts in your mouth and it is so addicting that my sister has to send many bags of Puffcorn out to California each year so that my niece can make up bags of deliciousness as holiday gifts for all of her friends. So, let’s get on with the recipe (right off the back of the bag):

Caramel Corn—Old Dutch Style


1 package Old Dutch Puffcorn (I’ve seen that Frito Lay makes a version now, too)
1 cup butter (no substitutes)
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda


Preheat oven to 250 °.

Combine butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a 2 quart saucepan; cook on medium heat until mixture has melted (I let it come to a boil and let it boil for about 2 minutes). Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda. This will cause the mixture to foam, so be sure your pan is large enough.




Pour Old Dutch Puffcorn into a large roaster pan (sometimes I add a can of honey roasted peanuts with it). Pour caramel mixture over the Puffcorn and stir until mixed.


Place in preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring at least every 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, pour on wax paper and break apart. Let cool. (Actually, you might want to let it cool before you break it apart…ouch)



Around the holidays, I like to put this in those cute little decorative bags that you get at Michaels, but since I was making this batch for pure gluttony, I merely put it in a plain plastic bag. It won’t last long, anyway…..


16 comments:

  1. YUM... It's Like Caramel corn, only BETTER, cause you don't have to worry about breaking your teeth on a wayward un-popped kernel. Most Excellent!

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  2. I love caramel pop corns, but those are dangerous. Now I wish I could get my hands on these (then hide somewhere from my kids and eat everything alone)

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  3. you mean....since I can't get Old Dutch Puffcorn in SoCal, that I won't be able to make them as good as you? soooooo not fair!!! I was hoping you had a recipe for the puffed corn part LOL. This snack looks fabulous

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  4. Danielle, Frito Lay puts out a puffcorn. I've used it (they actually run out of Old Dutch here around Christmas) and it is still pretty good. I'm thinking that you might find that in California.

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  5. Wow!! I never even thought of making my own...always bought it pre-caramel coated!! I must try this :) ...and I've lived in 3 of those places, LOL! And currently live close to Indy, soooooo, almost 4 ;)

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  6. This is so cool! I've never heard of this before but your description tells me that I'd love it!

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  7. That looks wicked good. If I can find puffcorn I'm totally making it.

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  8. Heh, I might have to send a few bags out to some of you. No fair dangling it in front of you when you can't make it.

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  9. Wow girl, you read my mind! I've been wanting caramel corn so bad...but this...without the hauls is totally awesome. I must find this stuff!

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  10. how do you make the puffcorn with the cinnomon?
    s.amand.robin@live.com thank you!!

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  11. I had my first caramel puffcorn last weekend..I live in Texas and my Minnesota relatives brought it to a party. Since I can't get Old Dutch in Texas and shipping is $17 for 5 bags I found Frito Lay Puffcorn at WalMart here and will make some tonight. I can't wait, this stuff rocks...where has it been all my life??? Lisa in Texas

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  12. Thank you for this recipe-I had this at a graduation party last weekend-yummy!

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  13. I had this at a graduation party last weekend-yummy! there was a lot of food but by the end of the nite everyone was going after this stuff!

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  14. Does anyone know where I can buy Old Dutch puff popcorn in the Plainfield/Joliet, Illnois area? I got hooked on the caramel recipe when I lived in Minnesota.

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  15. I have bought Jays Puffed Corn from Meijers Supermarket and it works just fine. Also, I use Fleishman's margerine in place of butter and you can't tell the difference. I also add pecans to the batch and everyone loves this added touch.

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  16. Menards has puffcorn if anyone hasn't been able to find it

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