4.9 from 60 votes
Bourbon Caramel Popcorn Recipe
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!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 28 cups
Calories: 184 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
North American
Ingredients
- ¾ lbs. Bacon diced
- 1 cup popcorn kernels 22 cups popped corn
- ¾ cup melted butter the amount you'll need will depend on how much bacon fat you have.
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons bourbon divided
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Do not use a pot that is too small as the caramel will bubble up considerably.
Nutrition Information
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
% 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% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.