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5.0 from 78 votes

Easy Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Skip the store-bought version, and make this easy caramel popcorn recipe right from the comfort of your own home. Sticky and sweet, it’s perfect for movie night snacking, holiday gifts, and more. 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 331 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 5 TB vegetable oil
  • 1 cup good quality unpopped corn kernels
  • 1 ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup corn syrup I use half light, half dark
  • 1 tsp table salt
  • 1 cup salted butter
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare: Preheat oven to 250F, with rack on lower position.
  2. Pop Corn Kernels: In a very large heavy pot, add 5 TB oil and 3 corn kernels. Heat on medium-high with lid on and start to listen. Once the first kernel pops, carefully add the 1 cup corn kernels. Shake pan to coat kernels with oil. Place lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape during popping. Shake pot occasionally during popping. Once the popping slows to 2-3 seconds in between, immediately remove from heat and transfer popped corn into a large roasting pan.
  3. Warm: Place roaster in oven to keep popcorn warm.
  4. Create Caramel: In a heavy saucepan, add brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and butter. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring. Boil 5 minutes, stirring/scraping constantly. Remove from heat and gently add the baking soda and vanilla. Mixture will turn foamy as you stir. Stir until mixture is thickened.
  5. Coat and Bake: Pour mixture over warm popcorn and stir to coat as much as you can, with popcorn in an even layer. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to coat.
  6. Cool: Transfer caramel corn to a lined baking sheet to cool. Separate the pieces as much as you can and let cool completely. Serve upon cooling or keep in airtight container.

Notes

  • If you’re making double the amount, do it in separate batches. I’ve found that if the roaster is too full with popcorn, it won’t crisp up as nicely.
  • If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating :)

Nutrition Information

Calories 331kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 37.7g (13%) Protein 0.6g (1%) Fat 21.2g (33%) Saturated Fat 14.4g (72%) Trans Fat 0.6g Cholesterol 40.7mg (14%) Sodium 385.5mg (16%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 36g (72%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 331

% Daily Value*

Calories 331kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 37.7g 13%
Protein 0.6g 1%
Fat 21.2g 33%
Saturated Fat 14.4g 72%
Trans Fat 0.6g 30%
Cholesterol 40.7mg 14%
Sodium 385.5mg 16%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 36g 72%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.