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That's Cracker Jack: One of America's First Junk Foods Was Invented and Made Right Here in Chicago


There are many reasons to love Cracker Jack: its addictive sweet-and-salty flavor combination, its association with America’s favorite pastime as immortalized in the song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” or the prizes hidden inside the boxes are just a few. This all-American snack was invented in Chicago and debuted at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Here’s the story of how Cracker Jack came to be the snack we know and love today.

German immigrant Frederick Rueckheim got his start in the snack food business selling popcorn out of a street cart on Fourth Avenue in 1872. He became so successful that he brought his brother Louis over from Germany to help out. The two then perfected a recipe consisting of popcorn, peanuts, and molasses. In the 1880s, the company operated out of a plant on South Clinton Street. The popcorn creation was first mass-produced and sold at the Columbian Exposition in 1893. It was originally known as “Candied Popcorn and Peanuts.”

The story goes that this confection got its name when a company salesman first tried it and exclaimed, “That’s crackerjack!”--which was popular slang at the time for something very good. The name Cracker Jack was copyrighted in 1896.

In 1908, the song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” was written by vaudeville performer Jack Norworth. It provided free advertising for the snack, which was mentioned in the line “Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack.” (This is slightly redundant, since Cracker Jack already has peanuts in it, but I digress.) As the song climbed the charts, Cracker Jack's popularity also skyrocketed.

In 1910, the company began including coupons in its boxes that could be collected and redeemed for items like watches and silverware. In 1912, the company switched from coupons to children’s toys and prizes and sales went through the roof. At this time, the factory had relocated to South Peoria and Harrison.

During the 1950s, the company employed over 1,000 Chicago-area residents. In 1964, Cracker Jack was purchased by Borden and the company operated out of Northbrook, Illinois. It was then purchased in 1997 by Frito Lay, and the company was transferred to Ohio soon after. In 2013, the company made an effort to increase the amount of peanuts in its product after customers had noticed a decline over the years. In 2016, Cracker Jack stopped including toy prizes in their boxes and replaced them with a QR code that can be used to download a game.

While no prize is included in this homemade version of Cracker Jack, you can add as many peanuts to it as you want.

Homemade Cracker Jack
* Based on a recipe from The Kitchn

Serves 2 to 4

Ingredients:
¼ c. unpopped popcorn kernels
1 tbsp. canola oil
1 c. roasted, lightly salted peanuts (Spanish or regular)
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3/8 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tbsp. molasses
1/4 tsp. table salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. baking soda
sea salt, to taste

Instructions:
Coat the bottom of a large pot with the oil. Add the popcorn kernels and cover with a lid. Place over high heat on the stove. Once the kernels start popping, gently pick up and shake the pot to move the kernels around periodically. Remove from heat once the popping slows down. Pour popcorn into a large mixing bowl.

Preheat the oven to 250°. Add the peanuts to the popcorn bowl and toss to combine.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the sugar, corn syrup, molasses, and salt. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reads 250°F on a candy thermometer, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. The mixture will sizzle at this point.

Working quickly, pour the hot caramel into the popcorn bowl and gently toss until the popped corn and nuts are evenly coated. You can use your hands once the caramel has cooled a bit.

Pour the popcorn mixture onto a greased baking sheet, spreading into a thin, even layer. Bake for 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Separate the popcorn into individual pieces with your hands before serving. Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Sources:
Jeff Wells, “14 Classic Facts About Cracker Jack,” Mental Floss (April 18, 2017).
Laurnie Wilson, “Candy History: Cracker Jacks,” Candy Favorites.com (October 31, 2013).
Mary Bellis, “Who Invented Cracker Jack, the Classic Popcorn Snack?” ThoughtCo (March 28, 2019).
“The Sweet Treats Born at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair,” WTTW,
“Cracker Jack Co.,” Encyclopedia of Chicago.
“Cracker Jack,” Wikipedia (April 20, 2024).
Rob Edelman, “Cracker Jack,” Encyclopedia.com.















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