Cracker Jack has been a beloved American snack for over a century, often associated with baseball games. The iconic tune “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack” from the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is sung during the seventh-inning stretch at baseball games and loved by generations of Americans. The appeal of baseball and ballpark Cracker Jack is not limited to the United States, but enjoyed by fans internationally. French-Canadian recipe maven Francine Lizotte described the mix of popcorn and peanuts baked with molasses as having a perfect combination of salty, sweet, and crunchy flavors, making it a favorite snack for her both at the ballpark and at home. The Toronto Blue Jays are her favorite baseball team, and she loves to support them whenever they play in Seattle.
Cracker Jack’s international heritage dates back to its creation in Chicago by German immigrant Frederick William Rueckheim in the late 1800s. The name “Cracker Jack” was officially given to the snack in 1896, with the phrase ‘cracker jack’ originally meaning excellent and being applied to ballplayers before the candy confection. Baseball player cards were often included as prizes inside the boxes of candied peanuts and popcorn. The exact reason why Cracker Jack became a sensation in ballparks is unknown, but it gained enough popularity by 1908 to be mentioned in the ballpark anthem “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Baseball historian John Thorn shared that Cracker Jack’s connection to baseball dates back to the early 20th century, but the exact cause of its popularity remains a mystery.
Despite not being able to fulfill her dream of retiring with her husband and touring every Major League Baseball park, Lizotte finds joy in making Cracker Jack at home to satisfy her craving for the traditional ballpark flavor. She enjoys making the snack for movie nights and with kids, finding it to be the perfect combination of sweet and salty. She shared a recipe for making homemade Cracker Jack, consisting of popcorn, peanuts, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, salt, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The instructions include combining the popcorn and peanuts, making a caramel sauce with brown sugar and butter, mixing it with the popcorn-peanut mixture, spreading it on baking sheets, and baking until it starts to dry. Once cooled, the homemade Cracker Jack can be served and enjoyed by the entire family.
Cracker Jack’s association with baseball, particularly the iconic song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” has solidified its status as an American classic snack enjoyed by fans both at the ballpark and at home. The snack’s international appeal has made it a favorite choice for fans, like Francine Lizotte from Canada, who supports her favorite baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays. The history of Cracker Jack, with its origins in Chicago and its connection to baseball player collectible cards, adds to its nostalgic allure. While the exact reason for its popularity in ballparks may remain unknown, the tradition of enjoying Cracker Jack while watching a baseball game continues to be cherished by fans across the globe. Whether at the stadium or at home, making homemade Cracker Jack is a delightful way to experience the classic flavors of this iconic snack.
