Best Ever Caramel Corn
User Reviews
5
Best Ever Caramel Corn
Description
This caramel corn begins with freshly popped popcorn, over which a homemade caramel sauce of butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup is poured. The mixture is stirred thoroughly before being spread on baking sheets and baked at 250°F. Baking durations vary to achieve a preferred texture: shorter for chewy and longer for crisper popcorn. The addition of vanilla and baking soda lightens the caramel and deepens its flavor complexity.
The popcorn can be served as a sweet snack or dessert and stored in an airtight container for a few days. Adding sea salt after baking complements the caramel’s sweetness by introducing a salty contrast. The recipe’s process allows control over texture, catering to different preferences for chewiness or crunch.
Overall, the method combines classic caramel candy-making with popcorn to create a sweet treat that captures buttery richness and varying textures depending on baking time.
Ingredients
- 4 Popcorn popped (un-popped kernels discarded), butter, plain, or kettle corn all work, bags
- 1 cup butter unsalted
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste, (you can also leave out the sea salt and use salted butter instead, sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Fill two large bowls with the popcorn and set out two large baking sheets.
- In a large sauce pan on the stove, combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat. Stir constantly and bring to a rapid boil. Continue to stir for 3-4 minutes, remove from heat and stir in vanilla then immediately stir in baking soda (be careful, mixture will bubble up!). Pour caramel over popcorn and stir with a rubber spatula until well-coated.
- Place baking sheets in the preheated oven and cook for 15-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. ***For chewier popcorn, cook only 15-30 minutes. For crispier popcorn, cool closer to 45-60 minutes. My favorite is about 35-40 minutes for a crispy start and a chewy finish!
- Allow to cool, then serve or store in airtight container up to 3 days.
Notes
- For balanced flavor, sprinkle sea salt over the caramel corn right after baking.
- Adjust baking time to achieve your preferred texture: shorter for chewy, longer for crisp popcorn.
- Store caramel corn in an airtight container for up to three days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 317 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 317kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 112mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 55mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 47g | 94% |
| Vitamin A | 473IU | 9% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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