Bacon Caramel Popcorn

PREP TIME: 25 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

8 cups popped popcorn
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup HORMEL® Real Bacon Pieces
½ cup peanuts
1½ cups sugar
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 300°F. Pour popcorn onto large baking sheet.
2. To make the caramel, stir sugar, water and maple syrup in large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high; boil without stirring until syrup turns a deep amber color, about 13 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately add cream. Be careful, mixture will bubble up. Stir until blended.
3. Immediately drizzle caramel over popcorn mixture; toss with wooden spoon to coat .
4. Sprinkle salt and cayenne pepper over popcorn and toss to coat. Sprinkle bacon pieces and peanuts on top of popcorn.
5. Transfer popcorn mixture to parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes to let caramel set. Cool completely before serving.

Note
Popcorn can be made 2 days ahead and kept in the refrigerator.