Homemade Caramel Popcorn: Delicious and Easy Recipe
If you love sweet and salty snacks, homemade caramel popcorn is a must-try! This easy recipe has the perfect balance of buttery caramel and crispy popcorn, making it irresistible. It is one of my favorites!
Caramel Popcorn: Delicious and Easy Recipe
Equipment
- very large pan with sides (larger than a 9 x 13 sized pan)
- medium saucepan
- measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 3 bags popcorn (pop for this recipe)
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- 2 sticks butter
- 1/2 cup dark Karo Syrup
- 1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
Instructions
- Pop the three bags of popcorn and pour them into your very large pan.
- Preheat the oven to 200°.
- Bring the brown sugar, butter, dark Karo syrup, and Cream of Tartar to a soft boil over medium heat in a medium sized saucepan.
- Remove from the heat and mix in 1 tsp. baking soda. Stir until frothy.
- Pour this caramel mixture over your popped popcorn that is in your large oven safe pan.
- Stir.
- Bake for 2 hours at 200°.
- Stir every 30 minute or so.
- Cool completely and then put in airtight containers/container.
Over the years, this homemade caramel corn has found its way into many of our gatherings and it’s always a hit.
Our family friend gave us this recipe and I hope you love it as much as we do! It really does make for some good caramel popcorn and I hope it will become your family favorite!
The Key Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe
This recipe is simple, with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. For this batch, I use three bags of microwave popcorn, two cups of dark brown sugar, two sticks of butter, half a cup of dark Karo syrup (though light corn syrup will work too), a fourth teaspoon of cream of tartar, and a teaspoon of baking soda. If you’ve ever made caramel before, you know it’s all about getting the sugar, butter, and syrup to melt together perfectly. But I’ll guide you step by step so you can avoid any mishaps!
Popping the Perfect Popcorn
Start by popping your popcorn. You can either use store-bought microwave popcorn (three bags, like I mentioned), or, if you prefer a fresher taste, use an air popper or stovetop method.
Making the Caramel Sauce for this Irresistible Caramel Corn
In a large saucepan, combine the dark brown sugar (light brown sugar works too), butter, cream of tartar, and dark corn syrup. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fully melted and the sugar has dissolved into the syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove the mixture from the heat. Add in 1 tsp. of baking soda and stir until frothy. And here’s a great thing: no need for a candy thermometer in this recipe! It’s easy to make, even without fancy tools.
This step is important because the baking soda reacts with the caramel, making it frothy and giving it that perfect crunch when baked. There is a chemical reaction that takes place when you add the baking soda, causing it to get very frothy. I think it’s pretty cool to watch!
Pouring the Buttery Homemade Caramel Sauce Over the Popcorn
Now, here comes the fun part! Pour the warm caramel over the popcorn in very large pan. You will want it to be larger than a 9×13. Oh, and make sure it has sides so that the popcorn doesn’t spill over. This is going to make a big batch of crunchy and chewy caramel corn. Make sure you coat every piece evenly, so gently stir the popcorn with a silicone spatula or spoon, being careful not to break up the pieces too much.
Baking the Popcorn
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees and bake the popcorn for 2 hours. Yes, two hours—this slow baking process is what makes the caramel popcorn so crunchy and irresistible. You’ll want to stir the popcorn every 30 minutes or so. I know this takes a long time, but it’s important to getting that crispy texture.
Cooling and Enjoying the Delicious Caramel Popcorn
Once the popcorn is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. It will firm up as it cools, creating that perfect caramel coating. Once it’s cooled, you can serve it or package it up in cute gift bags for family and friends!
Creative Ways to Serve and Gift the Best Caramel Corn Recipe
Caramel popcorn is a great gift during the holiday season or for any special occasion. Simply package it in a mason jar, cellophane bags, or decorative tins. It makes the perfect homemade treat for teachers, neighbors, or anyone who loves a sweet snack. You can even customize it by adding a sprinkle of sea salt for that sweet and salty combination or mixing in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to give it your own unique twist. My mom serves hers with a cute metal scoop and a cute container.
Tips for the Perfect Batch of Caramel Popcorn
1. Use Fresh Popcorn for Best Results: Freshly popped popcorn ensures that each piece is light and fluffy, giving you the best base for the caramel coating.
2. Stir During Baking: Stirring the popcorn every 20-30 minutes while it bakes will help it cook evenly and ensure all the pieces get that crunchy, caramel goodness.
3. Storage: Store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container or Ziploc bag to keep it fresh for up to a week (if it lasts that long!).
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got the recipe, I hope you give this caramel popcorn a try! It’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it with family or gifting it to friends, this sweet treat will become a favorite in no time. It is a great make-ahead recipe!
Be sure to let me know how it turns out, and feel free to share any fun twists you add to the recipe.
One of our favorites. I need to get to the store for some dark brown sugar ! Thanks !
Yes! I do think that the dark brown sugar and dark Karo syrup make a difference. I like it with light too. Sprinkle a little sea salt on it when it is cooling to set it over the top!