Halloween brings a huge variety of treats but unfortunately, for me, the majority of them are not gluten-free. When I came across the recipe for Jewel Bay Critter Crunch in BUTTER OFF DEAD by Leslie Budewitz I was very happy…a sweet treat that’s not only gluten-free but super easy to make. In fact, her addition of chocolate made it the best caramel corn I’ve had! Of course with the spooky holiday right around the corner I added a twist to make Jewel Bay Critter Crunch more festive (see video and tips). Either way, this treat will become one of my go-to recipes for years to come!
In addition to providing delicious recipes, Leslie Budewitz writes a very intriguing cozy mystery. Erin Murphy runs the Merc, her family’s century old grocery store recently turned gourmet food store in Jewel Bay, Montana. The town relies heavily on tourists to make a living and usually Erin is busy organizing a festival to bring them in. This time, however, she’s only the “go-fer” for her brother’s ex-girlfriend, Christine Vandeberg, who is organizing the First Annual Food Lovers’ Film Festival. They plan on showing food-themed movies and serving food that celebrates the chosen movies.
Just days before the festival is to begin, Christine is found murdered in her home. Suspicions quickly land on her ex-boyfriend, Nick, who happens to be Erin’s brother. He won’t tell anyone his whereabouts during the time she was shot, which only increases the belief that he is guilty. Erin knows that even though Nick is hiding something, he is innocent of murder and sets about to clear his name. However, she soon finds out that there are quite a few people who might be capable of going to extreme levels to keep their secrets from being exposed and she must find the culprit before they strike again. In addition to the turmoil her family experiences from the possible murder charges facing Nick, Erin is plunged back into piecing together new clues on how her father died while she was still in high school with the hopes of finding comfort in finally finding out the truth about the terrible tragedy. And all the while Erin must fill Christine’s position and keep the Food Lovers’ Film Festival on track to open.
I enjoyed revisiting Jewel Bay and it’s townspeople in this latest release in the Food Lovers’ Village series. The author gives us greater insight into Erin and her family’s dynamics and allows them to grow and experience life in a realistic manner. Besides the relationships, Leslie provides lots of twists and turns to the plot and kept me guessing the entire book. I will be cooking up another batch of Jewel Bay Critter Crunch and waiting with great anticipation for the next installment in this series!
A special thank you to Leslie for allowing me to share her oh so yummy caramel corn recipe with you!
As a bonus for my readers I am offering a copy of BUTTER OFF DEAD by Leslie Budewitz. Please comment below for a chance to win. Contest ends Thursday, October 29nd at 11:59 pm PST. Winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!) and will have 5 days to respond or another winner will be chosen. Open to U.S. residents only.
Jewel Bay Critter Crunch
Ingredients
8 cups plain, popped popcorn (if you’re using an air popper, this is about 1 cup of raw kernels.)
1/2 cup raw, unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup raw, unsalted almonds
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons light (clear) corn syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Spray or grease a baking sheet.
Pluck all the old maids (the unpopped kernels) and skins from popcorn and pour popcorn into a bowl.
Add nuts and stir to mix.
To make caramel, combine butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Cook and stir until mixture boils.
Continue cooking at a low boil for 4 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.
Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and stir to coat.
Spread onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 – 15 minutes (10 for chewy, 15 for crunchy).
Remove from oven and add the chocolate chips.
Stir slightly, until the chocolate begins to melt.
Cool and eat.
Makes about 8 cups.
Tips
- I used pre-popped bagged popcorn such as SkinnyPop. It made this yummy treat come together very quickly.
- I lined my baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and topped with a piece of parchment paper for easy clean up.
- For festive looking Halloween Jewel Bay Critter Crunch treats, substitute 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips colored orange (be sure to use an OIL based food coloring so the chocolate won’t clump!) or use orange-colored candy melts. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips (30 seconds in the microwave, stir, then heat in 10 second intervals until fully melted) and drizzle over cooled caramel corn. Melt the orange-colored white chocolate or candy melts and drizzle. Allow the chocolate to cool and set before eating…if you can wait that long!
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The recipe looks wonderful and so does the book. Thanks for a chance to enter!
Hmmmm sounds yummy!
That recipe sounds delicious. I have the book on my wish list.
As always, Kim, you manage to make my recipes look — and sound — even better! Thanks for sharing the book and treats with your readers!
You are more than welcome! I appreciate the opportunity to share your wonderful recipes and delightful books!!!
Oh my gosh! Yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe and thanks for the chance to win a copy!
What a great recipe. I will be a hero in my house when I make this.
Who could ask for anything better than caramel corn. This is the one thing I turn to when my sweet tooth is seeking something sugary to eat. [email protected]
Both book and recipe look good. Our favorite has always been Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn or cheese flavored. This recipe has many of our favorite things so I think we will give it a try Saturday for our movies get-to-gather. Thank you.
The critter crunch looks delicious and the book sounds wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
This is absolutely delicious Critter Crunch! Would love to win the book!
What a wonderful idea for popcorn! Thank you for having the contest!
This recipe is perfect for this time of year. Yummy! Thanks for the giveaway this book sounds scrumptious.
Can’t wait to try the recipe, sounds fantastic!
Also, can’t wait to read the book.
Sounds like a fun treat for a crowd, and it looks easy to make.
This looks amazing! Yummy
I want to make some this looks yummy
The recipe and the book both sound yummy! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love popcorn treats. My favorite Halloween treat from my childhood was popcorn balls…salty and sweet what more could you want! I am drooling over this recipe…thanks! I’ve read several reviews and Butter Off Dead is definitely on my “must eat…oops! “must read” list!
I love new popcorn recipes! Thanks for this one.
I’m looking forward to reading this book.
I love cozy mysteries with “punny” titles! Critter Crunch looks delicious! I know just who to make that for…
Sounds like a great mystery.
The popcorn looks like such a treat! Thank you for the giveaway.
Love this series and the recipe looks like a keeper!
The recipe sounds wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win a book by a new auther to me.
This sounds yummy can’t wait to try it and read the book!
The recipe sounds delicious and I appreciate the tip about using bagged popcorn. And I’m looking forward to visiting Jewel Bay soon!
Yummy. A great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
Oh, this sounds delicious! I love popcorn but this takes it up a notch.
Love the recipe AND the giveaway! Thanks for both!
Looks delicious, and I would love to have this book.
Saw this book on Killer Characters and would love to read it. Great recipe too!!
Book and recipe both look good. Like the idea of using pre-popped corn to make it quicker.
This mystery sounds like a very good read. Carmel corn is a favourite of mine and I am looking forward to trying this recipe. A good mystery and a bowl of delicious popcorn. What a great way to spend a cozy evening in front of the fireplace.
The book sounds wonderful and the popcorn looks delicious!!!
What a wonderful idea for popcorn … sounds yummy! Thank you for this chance!!
Recipe looks good, but book sounds better . Would love to win/read this
Critter Crunch is a perfect recipe for my son’s Halloween birthday party. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to win and read Butter Off Dead. Thanks for the chance.
This is a great recipe. Thanks for chance to win!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest!! Your book sounds like it would be fun to read! Very clever title! Great recipe too! Yum!!
Thank you for the opportunity to enter your contest! What a clever book title too 🙂 recipe looks yummy!!
This recipe sounds yummy and so does the book. Thanks for letting me enter.
Great recipie. Love the books cover. Looks like a good cozy mystery.