Bourbon Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Name: Bourbon Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 28 cups
Ingredients: ¾ ¾ lbs. Bacon; 1 1 cup popcorn kernels; ¾ ¾ cup melted butter; 2 2 cups brown sugar; 6 6 tablespoons bourbon; ½ ½ teaspoon sea salt; 1 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 1 teaspoon vanilla; ¼ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

User Reviews

4.9

60 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
28 cups
Calories
184 kcal
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
North American

Bourbon Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Iris Warren

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This bourbon caramel popcorn is unbelievably delicious! The crunchy, sweet clusters are dotted with bacon and covered in a bourbon-infused caramel sauce. You'll LOVE it!

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Ingredients

Servings

¾ ¾ lbs. Bacon diced
1 1 cup popcorn kernels 22 cups popped corn
¾ ¾ cup melted butter the amount you'll need will depend on how much bacon fat you have.
2 2 cups brown sugar
6 6 tablespoons bourbon divided
½ ½ teaspoon sea salt
1 1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Instructions

Place the diced bacon in a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. Cook the bacon for 10-12 minutes, or until it is quite crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and reserve the bacon oil.
Pour 2 tablespoons of the bacon oil into a large pot over medium heat. Add 2-3 popcorn kernels and cover the pot. When you hear the first kernels start to pop add the remaining kernels all at once. Give the pot a shake then reduce the temperature to medium-low. Continue shaking the pot occasionally until most of the popping has stopped popping. Remove the pot from the heat. Pour the popcorn into a very large bowl, making sure that no un-popped kernels get into the bowl. (Use 2 bowls, if needed.)
Pour the reserved bacon fat into a 1 cup measuring cup. Fill the rest of the cup with melted butter and then pour it into a medium-sized pot - see notes. Add the brown sugar, 4 tablespoons of bourbon, and sea salt to the pot.
Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot and bring the pot to a boil. Stir the pot once then let it boil without stirring until the candy thermometer reads 275 degrees. (This will take approximately 4-5 minutes.) When the candy thermometer reads 275 degrees immediately remove the pot from the heat and stir in the baking soda, vanilla, cayenne pepper, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of bourbon. Be careful at this point as the caramel will bubble up considerably and create a lot of steam.
Immediately pour the caramel over the popcorn, tossing the popcorn as you pour the caramel over it. Toss the crispy bacon through the popcorn.
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking trays with parchment paper. Pour the caramel covered popcorn evenly between the two trays. Bake the popcorn in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the popcorn from the oven and let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.

Notes

Do not use a pot that is too small as the caramel will bubble up considerably.

Nutrition Information

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Serving 1 cup Calories 184kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 21mg (7%) Sodium 209mg (9%) Potassium 63mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 15g (30%) Vitamin A 164IU (3%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 15mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 28cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 184 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1 cup
Calories	184kcal	9%
Carbohydrates	20g	7%
Protein	2g	4%
Fat	10g	15%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat	1g	6%
Monounsaturated Fat	3g	15%
Trans Fat	1g	50%
Cholesterol	21mg	7%
Sodium	209mg	9%
Potassium	63mg	1%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	15g	30%
Vitamin A	164IU	3%
Vitamin C	1mg	1%
Calcium	15mg	2%
Iron	1mg	6%