Caramel Corn: A Witty Invention(with recipe)
- Jodee Schrlau
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 1
Have you ever walked past a popcorn shop and been hit with the mouth-watering scent of caramel corn? It is almost impossible not to be drawn in to buy some. Did you know some believe that this treat is an American invention, stemming from the colonial sweetened kettle corn?
Caramel corn first appeared at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, created by two brothers, Fred and Lois Rueckheim. Their treat was a big hit, even if it made your fingers sticky. The brothers continued working on their recipe until they came up with a lighter, less sticky caramel coating, which became the famous Cracker Jacks. Now, you can find caramel corn in all sorts of flavors, sometimes with nuts, candy, or chocolate mixed in.
Like God gave Fred and Lois the witty invention of Caramel Corn, God has creative ideas and witty inventions for you as well.
Have you ever thought, "Who came up with that?" or "How did someone think of that idea?" I believe those inventions are wonders from God, even if people don’t realize it.
Caramel popcorn was a clever creation that has delighted taste buds, generated fortunes, and supported countless families for over a century. In the same way, imagine God inspiring you with creative ideas and witty inventions! God promises in His Word to do that very thing.
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."
God is continually sharing new ideas and creative inventions with those who will listen. I believe He may have a creative idea for a witty invention set aside for you! Stay alert for them, write them down when they come, and pray about how to use them. You never know—you might have the next big snack idea, and in a hundred years, people could be asking how you thought of it!
Have you experienced a ‘witty invention’ or creative idea from God? I’d love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below.
My Caramel Corn Recipe
Several years ago, I started making my own caramel corn. The fresh taste is hard to beat, and the smell of caramel permeates the house, adding to the festive feeling. Though I didn’t invent this recipe, I’ve fine-tuned it until it earned Steve’s seal of approval. Now, it sits proudly among our holiday favorites, right alongside caramel apple dip, homemade candies, and Christmas cookies. This batch should last several days in an air-tight container. If it disappears quickly, (like it does at our house), whipping up another is a breeze. The process takes a bit of time, so I sneak in some kitchen decorating between stirs!
The recipe card and instructions are provided below.
Begin by making the popcorn. I prefer the traditional method, but you can opt for microwave popcorn if you like.
Spread the popped corn on large cookie sheets, ensuring that any unpopped kernels are removed.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add sugar, corn syrup, molasses, and salt, and stir until combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Allow it to boil for 5 minutes without stirring.
Preheat oven to 250.
Remove caramel 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 a preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Place in oven and set timer for 15 minutes. (do dishes)
When timer goes off, stir the popcorn and place back in oven. I alternate the pans on the racks after every stir for a more even bake.
Stir and set timer for 15 minutes. (trade hand towels and placemats for fall/holiday ones)
Stir and set timer for 15 minutes. (sweep floor and place holiday rugs down)
Stir for last time, set timer for 15 minutes. Spread wax paper on counter or table top.
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. Avoid leaving it in the pan, as it will stick and be extremely difficult to remove. After it is cool, break into chunks and store in an airtight container.
You can also pack into baggies to add to a gift basket, Halloween treat, or stocking stuffer.
