Recipe: Caramel corn

Total time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Servings: Makes a generous 12 cups

Note: From test kitchen director Donna Deane

12 cups popped corn

1 cup toasted salted peanuts

1 cup toasted salted almonds

2 cups toasted salted pecans

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into quarters, plus butter for greasing 2 baking sheets

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Heat the oven to 200 degrees. In a large heat-proof bowl, combine the popcorn, peanuts, almonds and pecans. Place the bowl in the oven to warm while making the caramel. Lightly butter 2 baking sheets.

2. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Heat the pan over high heat, stirring to combine the contents, until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to a strong simmer and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until a candy thermometer inserted reads 255 degrees. Stir in the baking soda and remove from heat.

3. Pour the caramel quickly over the popcorn and toss to coat evenly. Divide the caramel corn between the two baking sheets and place them in the oven. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the caramel dries and hardens, about 1 hour. Remove the trays from the oven and allow the caramel corn to cool on the pans. Break the cooled caramel corn into small clusters and store in airtight containers. The caramel corn will keep for 2 days, stored at room temperature.

Each serving: 597 calories; 9 grams protein; 57 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 41 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 37 mg. cholesterol; 484 mg. sodium.