• Home
  • Cooking
  • Frugal Living
  • Home Management
  • Homeschooling
  • Real Life

The Happy Housewife™ :: Cooking

Where Martha Meets Real Life

  • Menu Plan
  • Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food
    • Food Talk
    • Real Food
  • Kitchen
    • Kitchen Tips
    • My Kitchen
  • Archives

Caramel Corn Recipe

by Toni Herrbach

  • Share
  • Pin
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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-recipe

Print Recipe

Caramel Corn

A step-by-step photo tutorial is below.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time30 mins
Author: Toni Anderson

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

Serving: 12g

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!

caramel corn

Other snack ideas…

  • Caramel Apple Slices
  • Bacon Pecan Homemade Caramel Corn
  • Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Glaze (Gluten Free)
  • Bacon Pecan Homemade Caramel Corn
  • Peppermint Crunch Popcorn

Comments | 20 comments

« Venison Marinade for Steak Lovers
Beerocks (Bierocks) »

Comments

  1. T.J. says

    at

    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!

    Reply
  2. jacquelin says

    at

    Mmmm, looks good. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Cathy says

    at

    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!)

    Reply
  4. Wendy@TheLocalCook.com says

    at

    Mmmm. Might have to make this for New Year’s!

    Reply
  5. Somebody's Mimi says

    at

    Kinda like what my Grandad made for me when I was little. Did I tell you we owned a Popcorn shop?

    Reply
  6. Tara says

    at

    Why air popped corn? Do you think it would work just as well with microwave popcorn?

    Reply
  7. Laura in WA says

    at

    How did you get my Grandma’s recipe? I’ve been making this for Christmas presents for 12 years now…always a hit. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Christine:) says

    at

    Mmmm, this looks incredible. Laura- awesome idea to give it as a gift!

    Reply
  9. Sherry says

    at

    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.

    Reply
    • TheHappyHousewife says

      at

      I have not tried using honey or molasses. I hope to try and healthify this version over time. It is definitely not healthy!
      Toni

      Reply
  10. Erin Bried says

    at

    My mom always made popcorn balls (with jello!) at Christmastime. I LOVE popcorn, and this recipe looks simply fantastic.

    Reply
  11. Diana says

    at

    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!

    Reply
  12. Wendi says

    at

    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.

    Reply
  13. Shirley Dunn says

    at

    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.

    Reply
    • TheHappyHousewife says

      at

      I know, I love this stuff! I don’t make it often because I could eat the entire tray!

      Reply
  14. Rhonda Hall says

    at

    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

    Reply
  15. Mandy says

    at

    We add crispex to ours and it’s delicious!!

    Reply
  16. Sue says

    at

    Baking it now with peanuts will let you know how it comes out!

    Reply
  17. theMeyerFamily says

    at

    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!

    Reply
    • Toni Anderson says

      at

      Yay! So glad you liked it and found us on Pinterest. Merry Christmas!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




STAY UPDATED!

Get every article delivered to your inbox!

CONNECT WITH ME

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Get a FREE Trial

Simplify your busy life with eMeals

Latest Posts

  • Christmas Punch
  • Oven Roasted Vegetable Medley
  • Crockpot Beef Tips Sliders
  • Gluten Free Granola Bars w/ Hemp Seeds
  • Peach & Strawberry Crisp
  • Easiest Fried Rice Ever!
  • How to Plan a Baking Day

Save on Groceries!

Print Free Coupons

Favorite Recipes

  • Apple Butter Stuffed French Toast
  • Butternut Squash Soup
  • Cranberry Cheese Ball
  • Gluten Free Zucchini Bread
  • Meatloaf Cupcakes
  • Roasted Almonds with Pumpkin Pie Spice & Honey
  • Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker

STAY UPDATED!

Get every article delivered to your inbox!

FEATURED

Pantry inventory worksheets

Frugal Pantry Inventory Check List

5 Simple ways to menu plan

5 Simple Ways to Menu Plan

CONNECT WITH ME

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316

HOME | CONTACT | ADVERTISING & PR | DISCLOSURE | PRIVACY POLICY

© 2023 – TheHappyHousewife.com. All rights reserved. | Design by Joy @ Five J's Design | Site maintenance by Klong Designs