Active Time

　　35 min

　　Total Time

　　1 hr

　　Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 1 hr (includes cooling)

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 10 cups

　　1 cup pecans (3 1/2 oz), toasted and coarsely chopped

　　About 8 cups plain popcorn

　　3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter

　　1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　

Special Equipment

a candy thermometer

　　

Step 1

Toss together pecans and popcorn in a large bowl.

　　

Step 2

Line a large shallow baking pan with foil, then lightly oil foil and a wooden spoon.

　　

Step 3

Melt butter in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Add syrup and salt, then boil, without stirring, until mixture registers 300°F on thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes.

　　

Step 4

Pour syrup over pecans and popcorn, stirring briskly with oiled spoon to coat. Immediately spread popcorn in baking pan. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.