Caramel Corn: a Witty Invention (with recipe)

Ever walked past a popcorn shop and was hit with the smell of caramel corn?  It is almost impossible not to be drawn in and buy some. Did you know, this treat is an American invention stemming from the colonial sweetened kettle corn.   It was introduced at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. The story goes that the mixture was presented by two brothers, Fred and Lois Rueckheim and was well received.  However, it was very sticky on fingers and hands, so the brothers went back and tweaked the recipe using a light coating of caramel that was not as sticky  A short time later, Cracker Jacks was born. Now there are many commercial brands and forms of caramel corn available, some with nuts, candy and chocolate added. 

God Has Creative ideas and Witty Inventions for you.

 Caramel Popcorn was a witty invention that has made millions of dollars and supported hundreds of families over the last 100 years. Did you know God wants to partner with you to give you creative ideas and witty inventions?

 Proverbs 8:12 "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions."

Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Exodus 35:31 " And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship”

 Deuteronomy 8:18  "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant"

 As we all know, it takes money to live on this earth.  Going into all the world to preach the gospel takes money.  Feeding the poor takes money.  Supporting the widows and orphans takes money.  These are all things the Lord instructed us to do and since He provides all of our needs, it figures He has a way to make that happen.  One of these ways is through creative ideas and witty inventions.  What will yours be?

 This is a time of God showing up with signs and wonders.

Have you ever wondered "who thought of that?" or "how did someone come up with that idea?".  Those inventions and ideas are wonders, God-given wonders, even if the creator doesn't acknowledge them as such.  I believe God is opening up hidden treasures and releasing creative ideas and witty inventions this year.  Keep your eyes open and ears tuned for these, write them down as they come to you and pray over them.   Ask for His strategies to implement them.  Who knows, you may have an idea for the next hit snack food and in 100 years they will be wondering how you thought of that!

Schrlau Caramel Corn

At our house, every occasion is celebrated with food and caramel corn has become a favorite snack while we are decorating.  While it is not of my own invention, I've tweaked this recipe until it meets with Steve's approval.  This is now part of our holiday treats, just like homemade candies and Christmas cookies.  This recipe should be enough to last for a couple of days.  If not, it’s easy enough to do another batch.  It is a little time consuming, but between stirring I can decorate the kitchen!

So put on those Christmas carols and let's get poppin’!

Ingredients:          

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/4 cup molasses

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 quarts popped popcorn(about 1 cup unpoppped corn)

Preheat oven to 250F.

 Pop corn. I do it the old fashion way, but you can even use microwave popcorn if you want.

Place popped corn in large cookie sheets, being sure to remove the old maids.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, corn syrup, molasses and salt; stir to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring.

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. The mixture will foam up so be careful.

Slowly pour the caramel over the popped corn, mixing well.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour stirring every 15  minutes.  I alternate racks every stir to get a more even bake.

Remove from oven.  Watch out for sticky fingers, somehow that warm popcorn sticks to my husbands fingers and he has to eat it to get it off.

Spread out on wax paper to cool.  Don't leave it in the pan because it will stick  and be very hard to get lose.

Break into chunks. Store in an airtight container.  

You can also pack into baggies; makes a great gift item or stocking stuffer.

It's that easy!  Let me know how yours turned out.

Enjoy!