Party with Caramel Corn and Autumn Corn

While mentally I'm still trying to figure out what the hell happened in March 2020, apparently the rest of the world has charged ahead and we're doing things again. Well, sort of. We're doing things outdoors, with masks, and when we know that everyone who can be vaccinated has been vaccinated. Apparently?

Don't ask me. Like I said, I'm still way back in 2020 trying to figure out which day of the week it is.

But Alexis had a thing for dance and it was handled in a way that made me think it would be okay for her to go, so go she did. And it was with that decision that I reached the conclusion that we should all be done with giant bowls of food. Right? RIGHT? We're not pouring a bag of chips into a bowl and telling everyone to grab a handful, right?

I'm definitely not.

And it was with that "no more touching the communal food" thing that I came to the conclusion that I need a new trick for sending to potluck type things. Alas, these were born.

AREN'T THEY CUTE? Also, they're super popular with the kids these days. I know that because they flew off the table even while the bowls of chips sat there ignored.

They combine two recipes that I've posted before. First there is the BEST EVER Caramel Corn. It is still the ABSOLUTE best caramel corn. Combining it with Autumn Corn (aka the only appropriate use of candy corn), tossing in some salted peanuts and a few pieces of fall candy, and then putting it in cute cups made it even better.

And everybody got to keep their hand germs to themselves.

Autumn Corn

4 quarts popped popcorn (It doesn't matter how you make it--microwave, stove top, whatever. Separate and discard the unpopped kernels.)
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 cups candy corn

1. Start by making your popcorn. Place it in a large bowl(s) and set aside. (I had to use 2 bowls because I didn't have one that was big enough to hold it all.)

2. In a large saucepan, combine the butter, corn syrup, and candy corn. Simmer over medium heat until completely melted (8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.

3. Pour the melted candy over the popcorn. Toss to coat evenly.

4. Place the Autumn Corn in a large oven-safe pan and bake at 200 degrees for one hour. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes or so, breaking up any large clumps.

5. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.