cracker jill bars

Milwaukee, WI
Updated on Feb 14, 2025

My personal spin on Cracker Jacks. I make these for ball games and tailgates. Many people enjoy my version and have named it the Cracker Jill.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

If you love sweet and salty, you'll love these popcorn bars. The mix of caramel with kettle corn, chocolate, and sea salt is a wonderful combination. They're sticky, chewy, a little crunchy, and very rich.

prep time 1 Hr 10 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top
yield 24 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 8 cups popped kettle corn
  • 8 ounces chocolate covered toffee pieces
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup light-colored corn syrup
  • 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
  • 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
  • 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt

How To Make cracker jill bars

  • Line a baking pan with foil or parchment paper.
    Step 1
    Line an 11x7x2-inch or a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, extending it over the edges of a pan; set aside.
  • Add kettle corn, toffee pieces, and pecans to a bowl.
    Step 2
    In a very large bowl add kettle corn, toffee pieces, and pecans; set aside.
  • Stir together.
    Step 3
    Toss together.
  • Add corn syrup, condensed milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter to a saucepan.
    Step 4
    In a small saucepan, combine corn syrup, condensed milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter.
  • Bring to a boil and cook until golden brown.
    Step 5
    Bring mixture to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 to 6 minutes or until the caramel sauce has turned light golden brown; stir frequently.
  • Stir in vanilla extract.
    Step 6
    Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
  • Pour caramel over the kettle corn.
    Step 7
    Pour caramel sauce over kettle corn mixture.
  • Stir until the kettle corn is coated.
    Step 8
    Stir with a wooden spoon until the kettle corn mixture is completely coated.
  • Press mixture into the baking pan.
    Step 9
    Turn mixture into prepared pan, pressing firmly into pan using the back of the wooden spoon or a large piece of waxed paper.
  • Melt the chocolate.
    Step 10
    Place chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook on 50% (medium) power for a total of 2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate is just melted; stir twice.
  • Pour melted chocolate over the kettle corn.
    Step 11
    Pour melted chocolate over the kettle corn mixture.
  • Spread the melted chocolate.
    Step 12
    Spread melted chocolate.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce.
    Step 13
    Drizzle caramel topping over chocolate.
  • Sprinkle with sea salt.
    Step 14
    Sprinkle with sea salt.
  • Place in the fridge to set.
    Step 15
    Place in the refrigerator for 45 to 60 minutes to allow chocolate to set.
  • Cut into bars.
    Step 16
    Use foil or parchment paper to lift from the pan. Cut into bars. To make cutting easier, wipe the blade of a knife with wet paper towels frequently.

Discover More

Category: Cookies
Keyword: #bar
Keyword: #caramel
Keyword: #pecans
Keyword: #toffee
Keyword: #chocolate
Keyword: #crack jack
Collection: Halloween Treats
Ingredient: Rice/Grains
Culture: American
Method: Stove Top

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