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5.0 from 78 votes

Best Ever Caramel Corn

The best ever caramel corn recipe with PERFECT crispy outside, chewy center, and sweet 'n salty flavor. 

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 12 cups
Calories: 317 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 bags popcorn popped (un-popped kernels discarded), butter, plain, or kettle corn all work
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste, (you can also leave out the sea salt and use salted butter instead)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Fill two large bowls with the popcorn and set out two large baking sheets. 
  2. 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. 
  3. 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!
  4. Allow to cool, then serve or store in airtight container up to 3 days. 

Notes

  • Flavor tip: Add a sprinkle of sea salt after removing from the oven! 

Nutrition Information

Calories 317kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 41mg (14%) Sodium 112mg (5%) Potassium 55mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 47g (94%) Vitamin A 473IU (9%) Calcium 37mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 317

% 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.