Copycat Beaver Nuggets - I'm "Eager" to be your Valentine + FREE Printable Valentines

The saying goes, "Everything is bigger in Texas" and it's true.  If you've ever traveled around Texas, chances are you've stopped at a Buc-ee's.  To call it a convenience store would be a serious understatement.  Buc-ee's typically has it's own dedicated highway exit and 35 locations around Texas.  The New Braunfel's location is the largest convenience store in the world.  It is so big you could fit 22 average-sized 7-11 locations inside this location.  Buc-ee's is known for their famously clean restrooms, beef jerky bar, homemade fudge, a WALL of candy choices, home decor shopping, t-shirts, lawn chairs, hunting accessories and of course Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets.  With their unmistakable Beaver Logo, it's only natural that they would have their own world-famous snack food:  an addicting caramel coated puffed corn snack.  We buy a bag or three every time we visit, usually diving in before we even leave the parking lot.  Imagine a treat, similar in texture to a Cheetos puff, minus the savory cheese.  Add a caramel-y, buttery, slightly maple flavor.  Now you know why Buc-ee's is a MUST VISIT when you're in Texas.  If you aren't visiting anytime soon, you can satisfy your addiction until the next trip by making them at home.  With Valentine's Day tomorrow, they are the perfect treat for family and friends.  In the past I've made Red Hot Applesauce (Valentine You're Awesome Sauce) and Strawberry Brownies (Shooting For Brownie Points Valentine) So a Beaver- Themed Valentine seemed  silly and appropriate.  I made little Valentine Tags, perfect for gift giving: I'm EAGER to be your Valentine.  Whether you're sharing the Beaver Nuggets with people you love, or hoarding them all to yourself, whip up a batch immediately for a true Taste of Texas!                         

Careful, these are addictive and anyone you
gift them to will LOVE you forever!

Step One: Locate Chester's Puff Corn.

Step Two:
Boil together butter, brown sugar,
and corn syrup.
Much like you're making caramel corn.

Step Three:
Remove from heat and add baking soda
(the mixture will foam up, so use a good-sized pan)
vanilla and maple extract which is key for the authentic
Buc-ee Beaver flavor.
Combine this mixture well with the
puff corn in a large bowl.

Step Four:
Make sure your puffed corn is well-coated.
Place onto couple of pans lined with parchment paper
and bake in a 250 degree oven for 45 minutes,
stirring every 15 minutes.
Allow to cool before breaking into pieces.

Step Five:
Now you can consume the Beaver Nuggets
all for yourself OR you can share with your
family and friends, especially for Valentine's Day
using the tags I've provided.

I'm EAGER to be your Valentine.
(These almost said, "Are you a Beaver cuz Dam" but
I'm not sure the grandparents would appreciate my humor AND
in the unlikely event you make these for school-aged Valentines-giving...well inappropriate)

Copycat Beaver Nuggets,
the quintessential Texas Road Trip Treat!

I found little treat bags at Dollar Tree.
Since these are going to adults and not school
Valentines, I was generous and scooped about
4 cups per bag, tied them up with a cute ribbon
and added my adorable homemade gift tags.

Here are the FREE Printable Gift Tags.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Right click to save to your computer.
Open with the software of your choice and print onto cardstock.

These images are my exclusive artwork.
Please be courteous when using these printables
and remember they are for personal use only.

Happy Valentine's Day Friends and Foodies!
I'm EAGER to be your Valentine

Copycat Beaver Nuggets

3 bags Puff Corn (butter flavor)
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons maple extract

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.  Place Puff Corn in a large bowl.  Line two jelly-roll style pans with parchment paper and set aside.  In a saucepan combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat.  Stir constantly and bring to a boil.  Boil for one minute then remove from heat and immediately stir in baking soda, vanilla and maple extract.  The mixture will foam up quite a bit so don't be alarmed.  Stir until well-blended.  Pour mixture over puff corn and stir well to coat.  Pour onto prepared baking sheets.  Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes and rotating pans on oven racks.  Allow to cool completely before breaking up any lumps.  Store in an airtight container.

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 45 minutes