Caramel Popcorn (Caramel Corn)

Featuring a thin, crispy-crunchy, delightfully caramelized coating, this Caramel Popcorn is an incredible grazing snack, quirky dessert, or holiday gift! Homemade Caramel Corn is made with simple, pantry-staple ingredients and stays fresh for weeks!

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A close up of caramel corn in a gray speckled bowl ready to devour

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If there’s one thing you should know about the city of Chicago and its inhabitants, it’s that they don’t play with their popcorn. Since 1949, when Garrett’s Popcorn stepped onto the scene, Chicago-style kernels have been an integral part of the city’s food culture, like deep-dish pizza.

Garrett’s founders, Claude and Gladys Garrett, started their business slinging fresh, warm caramel and cheddar cheese popcorn. Noticing that their customers were mixing the two together, the Garrett’s made the ingenious choice to sell the mixture themselves. The rest is history! 

Perks and Highlights of The Best Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Cuisine Inspiration: Classic American Comfort
Rooted in traditional American comfort food, these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies offer a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with a delightful twist that combines the wholesome goodness of oats with the indulgence of chocolate chips.

Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Baking these treats to chewy perfection, this method helps meld the hearty flavors of oats with the richness of chocolate, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds.

Dietary Info: A Treat for the Soul (and Sweet Tooth!)
While these cookies contain whole grain goodness from the oats, they’re an indulgence, thanks to the sugary sweetness and chocolate decadence. Moderation is key!

Key Flavor: Wholesome Oatiness Meets Decadent Chocolate
The rustic, earthy flavor of oats provides a perfect counterbalance to the rich, melty morsels of chocolate chips, delivering a complex flavor profile that’s both hearty and heavenly.

Skill Level: Easy Peasy
You don’t need to be a kitchen wizard for this recipe! If you can mix and spoon dough onto a baking sheet, you’re in business. Perfect for baking beginners and pros alike!

Special Perks:

  • Texture Heaven: The chewy oats combined with melty chocolate chips offer a play on textures that’s utterly satisfying.
  • Family-Friendly: From little ones to adults, these cookies are a surefire hit across all ages. Baking them is also a fun family activity!
  • Customizable: Get creative by adding your choice of nuts, raisins, or even a dash of cinnamon to tailor these cookies to your taste.
  • Memory Maker: The smell of these cookies baking is enough to create lasting memories and establish heartwarming traditions.
  • All-Occasion Wonder: Perfect for school lunches, holiday gatherings, or alongside a cold glass of milk on a quiet night in.
An overhead of caramel popcorn in a white bowl with a blue napkin with popcorn scattered around it

I love Garrett’s popcorn, and I enjoyed it pretty often in my childhood. But, honestly, I was the kid who picked out the caramel kernels because savory popcorn wasn’t my jam. I’d carefully pick out the golden-brown, sticky pieces, then munch and crunch until my teeth stuck together and kernels became lodged in the gaps. 

Since then, I’ve grown up a little. Rather than pick out the caramel corn, I make large batches of it myself! Salty, sweet, and crunchy, my Homemade Caramel corn is what snack dreams are made of! 

Popped popcorn in a clear bowl, brown sugar, butter sticks and additional ingredients to make caramel popcorn

Ingredients

Light Brown Sugar contains molasses which imparts a deep, robust flavor. Dark brown sugar can also be used. 

Unsalted Butter helps to create a smooth, luxurious caramel. Salted butter will also work, just omit the added salt. 

Light Corn Syrup adds sweetness, while also preventing the sugar from crystallizing before the caramel forms. If corn syrup is not available to you, glucose is a perfect substitute. 

Salt balances out flavor. If desired, sprinkle on extra sea salt before baking for a Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn. 

Vanilla Extract enhances flavor and adds aroma. The better the quality of vanilla, the better your popcorn will be! 

Baking Soda is the secret to an even, thin coating of caramel on the popcorn. When added to the caramel, baking soda creates a reaction and increases the volume of the mixture, making it easier to coat the numerous kernels. 

Large Grain Popcorn works best for this recipe. Do not try to use pre-buttered or flavored popcorn here. 

How To Make Caramel Popcorn 

  • POP THE KERNELS- Using the method of your choice (stovetop, microwave, popcorn maker, etc.), make the popcorn and pour it into a large bowl or pot. 
Caramel sauce bubbling on a white background with a silver whisk
  • MAKE THE CARAMEL- Simply simmer butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt until a thick, syrupy caramel forms. Make sure to continuously stir! 
  • ADD IN THE BAKING SODA-  To the caramel, add vanilla and baking soda. The caramel will begin to foam and rise. Give the caramel a few good stirs to combine, then remove from the heat. 
Caramel sauce being poured over just popped popcorn
  • TOSS THE POPCORN- The caramel will harden as soon as it begins to cool, so work fast and do your best to fully coat the kernels. I’d recommend using a rubber spatula for easier cleanup. 
Caramel corn on a baking sheet just after being roasted in an oven for an hour
  • BAKE AND COOL- To achieve that super crisp exterior, additional baking is required. Spread the popcorn over 2 parchment paper lined baking sheets, then transfer into an oven preheated to 250 degrees.  Bake for an hour, tossing the popcorn once or twice to ensure the kernels are evenly coated and set. 

WARNING: Handle the caramel with extreme caution and care; it is very hot and quite dangerous! Do not attempt to eat/taste the caramel straight out of the saucepan.

Caramel coated popcorn scattered against a white background

 Full Coverage Vs. Lighter Coating on Caramel Corn

The ratio of caramel to popcorn will determine how saturated each kernel is. The fewer kernels used, the more caramel coverage you’ll get. The popcorn you see pictured in the photos has medium caramel coverage, meaning there are visible white splotches studded throughout. Medium to light coverage caramel popcorn is definitely still as sweet and indulgent as ever. 

Full coverage caramel popcorn is supersweet! So, depending on your personal preference, adjust the measurement of kernels. 

Storage

Caramel Corn doesn’t really spoil, but it can get stale if not stored properly. Use large airtight containers or sealable freezer bags to keep the popcorn fresh and crisp. Keep the popcorn in a stable, cool environment.

Popcorn Recipes

If you love this, you will love this Chicago Mix Popcorn, Bacon Popcorn , Cheddar Popcorn, and Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownies!

A close up of caramel corn in a gray speckled bowl ready to devour

Caramel Popcorn (Caramel corn)

Featuring a thin, crispy-crunchy, delightfully caramelized coating, this Caramel Popcorn is an incredible grazing snack, quirky dessert, or holiday gift!
5 from 9 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Servings: 5 quarts of popcorn

Ingredients

  • 2 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 6-8 cups popped plain popcorn

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Add brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup and salt and stir together in a medium sized pot over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes.
  • Finally add vanilla and soda and stir until foamy.
  • Pour over popped corn and continue stirring until well coated.
  • Spread the popcorn on the baking sheets and bake for 1 hour until set and crisp.
  • Cool and break any pieces that are stuck together then keep in an airtight container to keep fresh.

Notes

Coverage Note: The ratio of caramel to popcorn will determine how saturated each kernel is. The fewer kernels used, the more caramel coverage you’ll get. The popcorn you see pictured in the photos has medium caramel coverage, meaning there are visible white splotches studded throughout. Medium to light coverage caramel popcorn is definitely still as sweet and indulgent as ever.

How to Store Caramel Corn Popcorn

Leftovers are best stored at room temp in airtight containers or sealable freezer bags. Caramel corn popcorn will stay fresh this way for up to two weeks. If you let air get to it, the flavor can turn stale boos so try to avoid that so it stays fresh and crisp.
I don’t recommend adding leftover popcorn to the fridge or freezer since you don’t want to introduce moisture. It will result in it losing it’s super crispy texture. Fresh is best boos.

Nutrition

Calories: 4422kcal | Carbohydrates: 850g | Protein: 123g | Fat: 80g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 3244mg | Fiber: 137g | Sugar: 120g | Vitamin A: 2989IU | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 31mg
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Filed Under:  Candy and Confections, Dessert and Baking, Oven, Snacks, Super Bowl and Game Day Party

Comments

  1. Just made and it turned out absolutely delicious! I’ve tried another recipe before and it wasn’t enough caramel to coat the popcorn. This was a perfect recipe. Thank you

5 from 9 votes

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