Oscar Party Treats: Caramel Corn Recipe

I can remember my first movie theater experience. It was to see "Bambi," which had been rereleased in theaters. Walking into the dark theater, sinking back into a fluffy seat and a whole new world appeared on the screen in front of me.

There's something magical about those movie time experiences when you're a kid, when everything seems bigger than life and people and stories come to life on a screen right in front of you, sucking you in and making you a part of the story.

Of course, a trip to a movie theater is usually accompanied by a big bag of buttered popcorn and a giant box of candy. On Sunday when the Academy Awards are presented, perhaps you'll sit by your television to watch with a bowl of caramel corn to reminisce about those movie experiences and what they mean to you.

Caramel Corn adapted from Joy of Baking

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels

• Olive or canola oil for greastiing

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Pop the popcorn. Grease a large stainless steel bowl with oil and place the popped popcorn inside. Line a large baking sheet or two with parchment and set aside.

In a medium to large saucepan, mix the sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup and water together. Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Place a cover on the pan and allow to boil for two minutes to remove the sugar crystals on the sides. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the mixture reaches 240º F. Stir in the butter until melted.

Let the sugar continue to cook until it reaches 300º F; immediately stir in the salt and baking soda. The mixture will foam. Pour over popped popcorn and stir with a wooden or heat-resistant spoon, folding popcorn over and over until covered.

Spread the caramel corn over the baking sheets in a thin layer. Allow to cool completely. Break into chunks and serve.

Makes 10 cups caramel corn.