Peppered Caramel Corn

Prep: 5 min., Cool: 10 min. This recipe was tried with several buttery toffee popcorn brands with mixed results. To get the same results as our Test Kitchens, buy the one suggested at the end of the recipe. Heating the purchased mix in the microwave allows the pepper to stick.

Ingredients

1 (12-oz.) package buttery toffee popcorn with peanuts
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation
1. Microwave popcorn with peanuts in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 2 minutes, stirring at 30-second intervals. Stir in pepper. Spread mixture in an even layer in a lightly greased jelly-roll pan. Let cool 10 minutes; break into pieces. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Crunch 'n Munch Buttery Toffee Popcorn With Peanuts.

Yield
Makes 4 cups

Southern Living, OCTOBER 2007