Slacker Jacks

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2006

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Pop Culture

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (26)

Cook Time:
1 hr 10 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 45 min
Cook: 1 hr 10 min
Total:: 2 hr 5 min

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Ingredients

3 ounces popped popcorn, approximately 3 quarts
1 cup salted peanuts
4 ounces unsalted butter
16 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 2 cups
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Spray a sheet pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray as well and set aside.

Combine the popcorn and peanuts in a large mixing bowl. Set aside until ready to use.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla and stir until combined. Heat the mixture until it reaches 250 degrees F, approximately 10 minutes.

Pour the syrup over the popcorn and stir to combine. You will need to work quickly because the syrup hardens rapidly. Spread the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and bake in the oven for 1 hour. Cool completely.

Break into pieces and serve immediately or store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Slacker Jacks
Michele Ft. Washington, MD 02-07-2010
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Rubber Gloves!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was delicious. I used a pair of rubber gloves to mix the syrup with the popcorn mixture. This allowed me to mix... quickly and more thoroughly.Read more
recipe Slacker Jacks
Danni Shrewsbury, MA 12-15-2009
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Better than cracker jacks
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have made this for three years, mostly at Christmas for party's and party's that I attend. Every year people rave and want... this recipe. It is great as an introduction with working with sugar and a candy thermomoter. I have advanced to harder sugar recipes like brittle based on this. I have also introduced this to playoff games and anytime I need a large snacky food for a big crowd. I will say that I use more than the stated popcorn, I use 1 1/2 bags of microwave lite p.c. This recipe still coats all that p.c. I have also added m&m's and even mini marshmallows to this with great sucess. I have done it with and without the oven for the last step, either way, it is awesome. Love Alton!!Read more
recipe Slacker Jacks
Julaine Frederick, MD 11-28-2009
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Addictively delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is absolutely delicious for a sweet and salty snack. I used amaretto liquor instead of vanilla extract and the flavor... was great.Read more
recipe Slacker Jacks
LAURIE Joplin, MO 05-25-2009
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This stuff is addictive!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Glad I read the reviews that suggested getting rid of the unpopped kernels and mixing the nuts into the syrup before pouring... onto the popcorn. I usually add 1 tablespoon (yeah, I know) of cayenne pepper to the syrup for some heat. If you're not sure, start with 1 tsp as one of the other reviewers suggested and add more if needed. This has been a hit (with or without the pepper) everywhere I've taken it. Thanks Alton for a relatively quick, easy recipe.Read more
recipe Slacker Jacks
JAN Ringgold, GA 11-01-2008
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Good not Great
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I thought this was too sweet and not enough salty. And, I made the mistake of not thinking about the unpopped kernels so I... had little kernels throughout that had to be spit out. So, if you make this, don't make my mistake. Make sure you remove the unpopped corn before you mix.Read more
recipe Slacker Jacks
Matthew Concord, CA 10-05-2008
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Nifty Trick
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I just made this, twice. The second time, I had my genius moment: I stirred the peanuts into the syrup before I poured it... over the popcorn. That way, all the nuts were sticky, and glued themselves to the popcorn, instead of diving to the bottom of the bowl, as is the wont of every sensible peanut. It works!Read more