Once you taste this homemade Caramel Corn, you will walk right past those pre-made varieties and make your own batch! If you love popcorn, you have to try my White Chocolate Caramel Popcorn.
Caramel Corn
When I think of caramel corn, my first thought is a box of Cracker Jack. Remember the ‘prize inside’ marketing strategy? I admit it worked on me😊. Well, the prizes don’t tempt me as much anymore, so I decided to just make my own. With a sweet flavor that is baked into the popcorn, it’s a prize in itself!
Ingredients
Caramel: You will need brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup, salt, vanilla, and baking soda to make the caramel mixture.
Popcorn: I prefer white popcorn in this recipe. However, you could use white or yellow.
White Popcorn vs Yellow Popcorn
I much prefer the smaller flakes (popped kernels) of white popcorn. White popcorn is more tender and pops up white. Yellow popcorn is another variety you can easily find at the grocery store. You guessed it, it pops up yellow. It is considered chewier than white.
In some cases, you may see popcorn referred to as ‘mushroom’ or ‘butterfly’ type. This is based on the shape when popped. Mushroom popcorn is large, rounded pieces of popcorn, whereas butterfly popcorn is smaller in size and can vary in shape.
It is really your preference as to the kind of popcorn you use. And, don’t forget about microwavable popcorn, too. Any kind that is coated in caramel will be a deliciously sweet snack!
How to Keep Caramel Corn Fresh
Caramel Corn doesn’t spoil, it just loses its crunchiness and taste if not stored properly. (Think about the stale chips you have eaten when the bag wasn’t tightly closed.) Now, in my experience, there was no need to store the Caramel Corn for long since it was gone in a few hours sometimes.
But, if you want to save it for a while, be sure to store it in an airtight container, getting all the air out. Keep it in a place that will not expose it to lots of humidity and heat (room temperature is best). I recommend keeping it on the counter or in a pantry. Do not freeze it or heat it up in the microwave.
Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar*
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) butter
- ½ cup (171 g) light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 10 cups (80 g) plain white popped popcorn, about ½ cup kernels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
- Stir in the baking soda.
- Place popcorn in a lightly greased large bowl. Pour the caramel mixture over the top and gently fold in the popcorn with a greased wooden spatula.
- Pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Bake for 60 minutes, gently stirring the popcorn occasionally, until darkened and dry.
- Let the caramel corn cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
I have used my micro wave to cook the Carmel corn put it in a brown paper sack. 3 minutes at a time keep shaking the bag so it doesn’t burn. After about 25 minutes spread out on wax paper to dry & cool
Oh my goodness this looks so delicious..I am going to make this for sure for Christmas!!
I wonder if you dont have light corn syrup if you can use Dark ……
I have used dark a few times turns out great
Hello! I can’t find Corn Syrup, could I replace it by using honey?
Thank you
I have made it with honey. So good!!
Does the popcorn “melt” when you put the Carmel over it? Sometimes when I put warm butter over popcorn the popcorn disintegrates. Thank you!
The best and so straight forward. Thank you for sharing. I’ve made this 4 times in a week.
I need gluten free cake recipes. Do you have any?
I’ve made it twice now and it’s so good!!! Doesn’t last more than a day in my house. Really easy recipe too!!
But can you recommend any substitutes for the corn syrup in this recipe? I was thinking honey or maple syrup but wasn’t sure how it impacts flavor. Thanks so much!!!
I have a Scandinavian product called MORK syrup. By chance, have you ever tried using it for “caramel corn?”
I have not