Cooking With Beer – Celebration IPA Caramel Popcorn

(Courtesy Sierra Nevada Brewing)

Festive treats take on new meaning as we approach the winter holidays, especially festive treats made with serious craft beer.

This one comes our way from Chico, California-based Sierra Nevada Brewing, and it uses the brewery’s Celebration IPA, a 6.8 % ABV Fresh Hop India Pale Ale, that’s widely available during the holiday season.

For many Sierra Nevada’s annual Celebration release marks the official start of the winter holidays and given that you’ll have some left over, it’s also the perfect companion while you’re cooking.

Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients

, Cooking With Beer – Celebration IPA Caramel Popcorn 2 cups popping corn

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups toasted nuts (e.g., pecans, almonds, peanuts)

1 cup dried fruit (e.g., cranberries, cherries)

Non-stick vegetable oil spray

1/2 cup Celebration IPA

1/2 cup water

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tablespoon baking soda

1 stick unsalted butter

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot with a lid, add the vegetable oil and the corn. With the lid on the pot, cook over moderately high heat, shaking the pot continuously for about 8 minutes or until all of the kernels are popped. Pour the popped corn into a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan, combine Celebration, water, sugar, salt and light corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is dark amber, about 300°.

Step 3

Remove sauce pan from heat, add baking soda and butter and stir for about 30 seconds. Caution: This will produce considerable steam. Use a long whisk and avoid touching the top of the sauce pan.

Step 4

Working quickly and carefully, pour the caramel sauce over the popped corn. Stir to coat the popped corn evenly. Add the nuts and fruit.

Step 5

Pour the final mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or foil wrap that has been sprayed with non-stick vegetable oil spray.

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