4.6 from 156 votes
Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Homemade Caramel Popcorn consists of plain popped popcorn coated evenly with a hot caramel sauce made from butter, light brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. The caramel is cooked to the hard crack stage for a crisp coating that hardens upon cooling. Baking the coated popcorn on lined sheets lets the caramel set into crunchy, sweet clusters. This treat combines the crisp texture of popcorn with a rich, buttery caramel sweetness.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
12
servings
Calories:
250 kcal
Course:
Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 15 cups Popcorn about ½ cup unpopped kernels worth, plain, popped
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, and salt.
- While stirring continuously, bring the butter mixture to a boil. Boil for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add in the vanilla extract, stirring well to combine. At this point, the caramel should be the hard crack stage (a candy thermometer should read 300°F, or see notes if you don't have a candy thermometer).
- Add in the baking soda and the boil for 1 more minute. The mixture should get very fluffy and foamy. Remove from heat.
- Place the popped popcorn in a very large bowl, and then drizzle the caramel sauce over top. Use a spoon to fold the popcorn until all kernels are covered.
- Pour the caramel corn out onto the prepared baking sheets, and let cool completely.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The hard crack stage occurs at 300°F; a candy thermometer ensures accuracy for caramel consistency.
- If you do not have a candy thermometer, test caramel readiness by dropping a spoonful into cold water—brittle strands that break when bent indicate the correct stage.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1.25cups
Calories
250kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
20g
(7%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
(41%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
41mg
(14%)
Sodium
222mg
(9%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 250
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1.25cups | |
| Calories | 250kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 222mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.