This delicious homemade caramel corn takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. It is so good, you’ll be making a second batch as you are eating the first.
The first time I made this we didn’t have any left for Christmas gifts so we made a second batch.
And a third….
Perfect for that last minute homemade Christmas gift, or a quick holiday dessert to take to a party. You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry!
Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 8 cups air popped popcorn 8 cups is the popped amount not kernels
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- extra butter for baking dish and foil
Instructions
- Pop popcorn.
- Remove any un-popped kernels.
- Place popcorn in a large bowl.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Melt butter on the stove top.
- Add brown sugar and corn syrup.
- Stir until mixture comes to a boil.
- Once the mixture is boiling stop stirring and let boil for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes remove from heat and mix in vanilla and baking soda.
- Pour mixture over popped popcorn.
- The easiest way to do this is to have someone mix while someone pours.
- Thoroughly mix candy mixture and popcorn until popcorn is coated.
- Place in a buttered baking dish.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, stir and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Place on buttered foil to cool.
Nutrition
Melt butter on the stove top. Add brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir until mixture comes to a boil.
Once the mixture is boiling stop stirring and let boil for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes remove from heat and mix in vanilla and baking soda.
Pour mixture over popped popcorn.
The easiest way to do this is to have someone mix while someone pours. Thoroughly mix candy mixture and popcorn until popcorn is coated.
Place in a buttered baking dish.
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir and bake for another 5 minutes.
Place on buttered foil to cool.
Throw it into a bowl (if your family lets you!) and devour!
T.J. says
That looks scrumptious! I’m making all kinds of different flavors of popcorn – from ginger cashew to cinnamon-as a Christmas gift for my Gram. I’ll totally have to add caramel corn to the list!
jacquelin says
Mmmm, looks good. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks!
Cathy says
I’m with Nancy M, it does look beautiful, and the kids look like they’re having fun, ……. but it does look SO COLD!!! I think I’ll stay right here in Florida and enjoy a white Christmas vicariously through your photos. Merry Christmas, Toni! (love your blog by the way!)
Wendy@TheLocalCook.com says
Mmmm. Might have to make this for New Year’s!
Somebody's Mimi says
Kinda like what my Grandad made for me when I was little. Did I tell you we owned a Popcorn shop?
Tara says
Why air popped corn? Do you think it would work just as well with microwave popcorn?
Laura in WA says
How did you get my Grandma’s recipe? I’ve been making this for Christmas presents for 12 years now…always a hit. 🙂
Christine:) says
Mmmm, this looks incredible. Laura- awesome idea to give it as a gift!
Sherry says
LOVE caramel corn! Have you tried to make it with molasses or honey instead of corn syrup? Since both dd and ds are in braces, I haven’ been keeping popcorn around.
TheHappyHousewife says
I have not tried using honey or molasses. I hope to try and healthify this version over time. It is definitely not healthy!
Toni
Erin Bried says
My mom always made popcorn balls (with jello!) at Christmastime. I LOVE popcorn, and this recipe looks simply fantastic.
Diana says
Wow! Pouring the caramel corn out onto foil to cool has made this reicpe so much easier! No more using brute force to scrape the corn out of the pan. Thank you!
Wendi says
Yummy! We’ve made this twice in the past two days to share with others – it’s been a hit both times! Thanks for sharing.
Shirley Dunn says
We tried this and couldn’t stop eating it. This is way better than just popping a bag of popcorn. Way crispier too! I tried it again the next week and evidently cooked it too long and burned the carmel, but that isn’t detering me from trying it again. This is a very cheap snack too.
TheHappyHousewife says
I know, I love this stuff! I don’t make it often because I could eat the entire tray!
Rhonda Hall says
Made it, loved it, had to make second batch cos I ate the first one…
It’s better I think the second day. after it has all soaked in…yum yum..
Merry christmas
Mandy says
We add crispex to ours and it’s delicious!!
Sue says
Baking it now with peanuts will let you know how it comes out!
theMeyerFamily says
Found this on Pinterest last night. So simple to make and delicious tasting! Caramel coated all the popcorn well and has a light, yet crunchy texture when cool – been snacking on it all day. Already have plans to make batches for Christmas distribution. Thanks for this fantastic recipe!
Toni Anderson says
Yay! So glad you liked it and found us on Pinterest. Merry Christmas!