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Homemade Caramel Corn

You won't believe how simple it is to make homemade caramel corn! It's simple to make it as chewy or as crunchy as you'd like and it only takes about 30 minutes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 505 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 12 cups popped popcorn about 1/2 cup kernels or about 2-3 bags microwave popcorn
  • 1 cup peanuts optional
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup butter cubed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
  2. Place popcorn and peanuts (if using) in a large bowl and set aside.
  3. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter to a small microwave safe bowl.
  4. Microwave for 2 more minutes and stir.
  5. Return to microwave for another 2 minutes. Stir to combine. The mixture should be hot and bubbly.
  6. Stir in the vanilla, baking soda, and cinnamon (if using). The mixture will get a bit foamy.
  7. Stir and then pour over the large bowl of popcorn. Mix well to coat popcorn and sprinkle lightly with salt.
  8. If you want your caramel corn very chewy, go ahead and eat it now. Otherwise, pour caramel corn onto a foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer.
  9. Bake for 5 minutes and then stir and taste. Keep baking and stirring every 5 minutes (up to 20 minutes of baking) until the popcorn is as crunchy as you'd like. It will harden up a bit as it cools.
  10. Break apart any large clumps and let cool.

Notes

  • The cinnamon is completely optional, but we like the subtle flavor it adds to the caramel corn. Pumpkin spice is also a delicious addition.
  • Store in an air tight container for up 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information

Calories 505kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 88g (29%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 12mg (4%) Sodium 82mg (3%) Potassium 338mg (10%) Fiber 13g (52%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 140IU (3%) Calcium 24mg (2%) Iron 3.3mg (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 505

% Daily Value*

Calories 505kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 88g 29%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 82mg 3%
Potassium 338mg 7%
Fiber 13g 52%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 140IU 3%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 3.3mg 18%

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