Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Introduction

Homemade caramel popcorn is a delightful treat combining crunchy popcorn with rich, buttery caramel. This easy recipe yields a sweet, crunchy snack perfect for movie nights or parties.

Ingredients

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 cup butter (salted or unsalted)
• 1 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the popcorn according to the package instructions. Place the popped popcorn in a very large bowl.
2. Step 2: Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
4. Step 4: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
5. Step 5: Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
6. Step 6: Boil without stirring for 4 minutes, then remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Quickly stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up slightly.
8. Step 8: Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn and stir to coat evenly.
9. Step 9: Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer on the prepared baking sheets.
10. Step 10: Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.
11. Step 11: Remove from the oven and let cool completely before breaking into smaller pieces.
12. Step 12: Serve and enjoy your homemade caramel popcorn!

Tips & Variations

• Use salted butter for a balanced sweet and salty flavor, or unsalted butter if you prefer to control the salt level precisely.
• For extra crunch, double bake the popcorn for 10 minutes after the hour and let cool fully.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or cayenne pepper to the caramel sauce for a unique twist.
• Use light corn syrup as a substitute if dark corn syrup is unavailable, but flavor may vary slightly.

Storage

Store caramel popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep it fresh and crunchy, avoid refrigeration. If it softens, you can re-crisp it in a low oven (250 degrees F) for 5–10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use microwave popcorn for this recipe?

Yes, you can use microwave popcorn as long as you remove all unpopped kernels and flavorings before adding the caramel sauce.

What should I do if the caramel becomes too hard after cooling?

If the caramel is too hard, gently reheat the popcorn in the oven at 250 degrees F for a few minutes to soften the coating without burning it.

Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 99 reviews

This homemade caramel popcorn recipe delivers a perfect combination of crunchy popcorn coated with a rich, buttery caramel sauce. Made from simple pantry ingredients and baked low and slow, this treat is ideal for movie nights, parties, or anytime you crave a sweet and crunchy snack.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Popcorn

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup butter (salted or unsalted)
• 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. Make the popcorn: Prepare popcorn according to the package instructions and transfer 10 cups of popped popcorn to a very large bowl.
2. Prep the baking sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
3. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit to allow for slow baking of the caramel popcorn.
4. Make the caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Stir in 1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Once boiling, allow it to cook without stirring for 4 minutes.
5. Add flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. The mixture will foam up, which is expected.
6. Coat the popcorn: Immediately pour the hot caramel sauce over the bowl of popped popcorn and stir gently to coat all kernels evenly.
7. Bake the popcorn: Spread the caramel-coated popcorn evenly in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheets. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and baking.
8. Cool and serve: Remove the popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheets. Once cooled, break into smaller pieces, serve, and enjoy your delicious homemade caramel popcorn!

Notes

• Ensure popcorn is fully popped but not burnt before coating with caramel.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleaning easier.
• Stirring the caramel-coated popcorn every 15 minutes during baking helps prevent burning and ensures even coating.
• Store leftover caramel popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• For an extra touch, sprinkle with sea salt before baking for a salted caramel flavor.

Keywords: caramel popcorn, homemade caramel popcorn, popcorn snack, sweet snack, party snack, buttery caramel popcorn