Just pop your favorite popcorn and make your own, easy apple cider caramel with flavors of orange and cinnamon. So much better than store bought. I go through about 1 bottle of apple cider per week at this time of the year. It’s not only my favorite drink, but I also like to use it in recipes. Last week I used it in the butter glaze for herb roasted Cornish hens that are perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. I’ve even used it in this delicious, seasonal cocktail apple sidecar. Apple cider is so good for adding natural sweetness to so many sweet and savory dishes. I knew I wanted to make a caramel popcorn recipe recently, but wanted to make something a little different and hot apple cider was my inspiration. To achieve the concentrated apple flavor, the apple cider is reduced by half then brown sugar, butter and cream are added, then simmered until thickened. Caramel popcorn needs to be baked for 2 reasons. 1 it helps soften so you can coat the popcorn well, and 2, it keeps the popcorn from absorbing the caramel and getting soggy. You can enjoy this Apple Cider Caramel Popcorn all fall and winter season. Great for Halloween, a cosy night with a movie as well as it makes a wonderful holiday gift for neighbors, friends, teachers or the mail man. Just add to cellophane bags and add tie with gift tag. Chefs tip You will need a candy thermometer for this because there is no way to tell if the caramel is at the perfect temperature to achieve the best crunch. The caramel needs be just below the soft crack stage. This means, when the caramel cools, it is the perfect crunch and is not too hard (which would be a hard crack stage).
