Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe: A Sweet and Crunchy Delight

Name: Caramel Popcorn (Caramel Corn)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels); 1/2 cup light corn syrup; 1 cup of unsalted butter; 2 cups of light brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda; 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Caramel Popcorn is a delectable treat that combines the irresistible crunch of popcorn with a sweet and buttery caramel coating.

American Cuisine

June 24, 2023

Difficulty Easy

Servings 8 people

Preparation 15 mins

Cooking 55 mins

Total 70 mins

Recipe Contents

Ingredients Directions Nutrition Equipments Tips

Ingredients

1 cup of unsalted butter
2 cups of light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
1/2 cup light corn syrup

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 °F (120 °C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl, ensuring there are no unpopped kernels. Set aside.
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to boil for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda. The mixture will bubble and foam up slightly. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn in the bowl. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss and coat the popcorn with the caramel, making sure all the popcorn is coated evenly.
Transfer the coated popcorn to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out in an even layer.
Bake the caramel corn in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking and to prevent burning.
Remove the caramel popcorn from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. As it cools, the caramel will harden and the popcorn will become crispy.
Once the caramel popcorn has cooled, break it apart into smaller clusters or individual pieces. Store in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 Caramel Popcorn (Caramel Corn)

Serves 8

Amount Per Serving

Calories478

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23.5 g30.1%

Cholesterol 61 mg20.3%

Sodium 391 mg17%

Protein 1.5 g3%

Potassium 41 mg0.9%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Tips

Use fresh popcorn for the best texture and flavor. You can pop the corn in an air popper, stovetop, or microwave. Avoid using pre-packaged popcorn with added flavors or butter.
Remove unpopped kernels. Before coating the popcorn with caramel, make sure to remove any unpopped kernels. This will prevent anyone from accidentally biting into a hard kernel.
Preheating the oven and warming the popcorn before adding the caramel helps the caramel spread more easily.
Prepare the caramel carefully. When making the caramel sauce, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent burning. Melt the butter and sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns smooth and golden brown. Be cautious, as the mixture can become very hot.
Stirring the caramel mixture constantly until it comes to a boil ensures that the sugar dissolves properly and doesn't burn.
Adding the baking soda and vanilla after removing the caramel from the heat helps create a smoother, more flavorful caramel.
Spread the caramel popcorn on a greased foil sheet to cool. This makes it easier to break apart later.
Use a candy thermometer. Making caramel involves heating sugar to a specific temperature. To ensure you get it right, use a candy thermometer.
Work quickly. Caramel sets fast, so once your caramel sauce is ready, work quickly to coat the popcorn. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and use a spatula or wooden spoon to toss and coat the popcorn evenly. Be careful, as the caramel will be hot.
Stir constantly. Once the sugar starts to melt, it's important to stir constantly to prevent it from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Use a large pot. When you add the baking soda, the caramel will bubble up. To prevent it from overflowing, use a large pot.
Bake for extra crispiness. For an extra crunchy texture, spread the coated popcorn on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake it in a preheated oven at a low temperature (around 250 °F/120 °C) for about 15-20 minutes. This will help the caramel dry and crisp up without burning.
Allow the caramel popcorn to cool completely. This helps the caramel to harden. Once cooled, break apart any large clumps or pieces and store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
The caramel will be extremely hot, so be careful to avoid burns. Don't touch or taste it until it has cooled.

Rate This Recipe

Caramel Popcorn (Caramel Corn) is the perfect snack for movie nights or just when you're craving something sweet and satisfying. There's something incredibly satisfying about homemade caramel popcorn. It's sweet, crunchy, and has that perfect balance of flavors that store-bought versions just can't match. Whether you're planning a movie night at home or just craving a sweet snack, this caramel popcorn recipe is sure to hit the spot. It's easy to make and uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Learn how to make your own sweet and crunchy caramel popcorn at home with this easy recipe.

Enjoy your homemade caramel popcorn! It's a sweet and crunchy treat that's perfect for any occasion.

Equipment for this recipe

Measuring Cup

Mixing Bowls

Baking Set

Spatula

Saucepan

What Is Caramel Popcorn?

Caramel popcorn, also known as caramel corn, is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell. It is a type of candied popcorn. The commercial, packaged product, first introduced in the 1890s, quickly became popular and remains so today.

The origins of caramel popcorn are somewhat murky, but it's believed to have been first introduced in the United States. The combination of popcorn and molasses was a common treat in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it's likely that caramel popcorn evolved from this simple snack. The first commercial version of caramel popcorn was introduced by Frederick Rueckheim at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. His recipe, which included a secret ingredient to prevent the popcorn from sticking together, was a huge hit and is still popular today under the brand name Cracker Jack.

Caramel popcorn has since become a beloved snack worldwide, enjoyed by people of all ages. It's often associated with fairs, carnivals, and movie theaters, but it's also a popular treat for holidays and special occasions. Despite its humble origins, caramel corn can be a gourmet treat, with variations including nuts, chocolate, and other flavors. Whether you prefer the classic recipe or a more adventurous version, there's no denying the appeal of this sweet, crunchy snack.

How Do You Make Gordon Ramsay Caramel Popcorn?

Gordon Ramsay's caramel popcorn recipe is quite simple. He recommends using 1 cup of popcorn kernels, 1 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of honey. First, you pop the popcorn kernels. Then, in a separate pan, you melt the sugar until it turns a caramel color. Add the honey to the melted sugar and stir until it's well combined. Finally, pour the caramel mixture over the popped popcorn and stir until all the popcorn is coated.

How Do You Make Martha Stewart Caramel Popcorn?

Martha Stewart's caramel popcorn recipe involves using 10 cups of popcorn, 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. You pop the popcorn first, then combine the sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the sugar mixture is caramelized, you add the baking soda, stir, and then pour it over the popcorn. Stir until the popcorn is evenly coated and then bake it in the oven for about 45 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring every 15 minutes.

How To Make Caramel Popcorn At Home without Butter?

You can make caramel popcorn at home without butter by using oil instead. To make homemade caramel corn, you'll need 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels, 1 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. Pop the popcorn kernels using the oil, then melt the sugar in a separate pan until it caramelizes. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and stir until all the popcorn is coated.

What Is The Egg For When Making Caramel Popcorn?

Some caramel popcorn recipes call for egg whites. Egg whites are used to create a lighter, crispier coating on the popcorn. Whisk the egg white until it's frothy, then mix it with the caramel before pouring it over the popcorn. This step is optional and not all caramel popcorn recipes include it.

What To Serve with Caramel Popcorn?

Caramel popcorn is a delightful treat on its own, or with snacks. You can serve it with pretzels, cheese crackers, or mixed nuts to balance out the sweetness with a touch of saltiness. It also goes well with fresh fruits. Additionally, you can create a dessert platter by including small chocolate candies, mini cookies, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a combination of sweet treats to serve with homemade caramel corn.

Here are our delicious recipes that you can serve with Caramel Popcorn:

Recipe byPetite Gourmets