This caramel corn is sweet, sticky, and so delicious! A great recipe for a movie night, party, or just because. This buttery caramel corn is a great recipe for a crowd.
There are different ways to enjoy caramel. Whether it is crunchy, tacky, or gooey. This recipe for caramel corn stays nice and chewy, even when cooled. It is a quick and easy treat to enjoy with a cold glass of milk.
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Caramel Corn Recipe
My recipe for the party is a caramel corn recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook I received 30 years ago. We have often taken this caramel corn to parties over the years and it is always a big hit. It has a light buttery caramel flavor and stays a little bit chewy.
Recipe Ingredients:
- Popcorn: you’ll want unpopped popcorn kernels and you can pop them on the stove, in the microwave, or with an air-popper
- Granulated and brown sugar: these are the sweet in the recipe and when they cook they also add to the stickiness of the recipe
- Corn syrup: this helps the caramel come together really nicely and helps the caramel to stay sticky
- Butter: this adds great flavor and texture to the caramel
How to make caramel popcorn:
- Start by popping your popcorn and take a little extra time to remove any unpopped kernels, biting into one in the caramel corn is a real tooth breaker.
- Make your caramel by adding everything but the butter to a small saucepan.
- Cook the mixture until it reaches 260 degrees F on a thermometer.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the butter.
- When the butter melts, drizzle the hot caramel over the popcorn and stir to combine (careful it’s hot!).
- Spread the caramel corn on a wax paper lined cookie sheet to cool and then serve.
Why do I need a candy thermometer?
As caramel and other candies cook, they change textures. They go from liquid to a thick sauce, to sticky and tacky, and then a hard candy. Keeping track of the temperature of your caramel ensures that you end up with the nice chewy texture.
How long is caramel popcorn good for?
If stored in an airtight container, caramel corn can last up to 3 weeks, though I do think the texture is best the first day or two.
Can I add other toppings to my caramel corn?
Adding other toppings to caramel corn can take your popcorn experience to a whole other level. After coating your popcorn in caramel, you can add toppings such as nuts, candies, or drizzle melted chocolate on top. There are endless possibilities of ways you can make your caramel corn to your liking.
More recipes for you:
- Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn
- Easy Rocky Road Popcorn
- Microwave Caramel Popcorn
- Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
If you’ve tried this caramel popcorn recipe or any other recipe on Barbara Bakes, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
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Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped corn about ⅓ cup unpopped
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter
Instructions
- Measure popped corn into large bowl.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, vinegar and salt in 2-quart saucepan.
- Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook, stirring constantly, to 260º on candy thermometer (or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a hard ball).
- Reduce heat to low; stir in butter until melted.
- Pour syrup in thin stream over popcorn in bowl, stirring until popcorn is well coated.
- Spread mixture on wax paper lined baking sheet. Cool.
Nutrition
You’ll love this classic caramel popcorn recipe and how easy it is to make. This is a party favorite and makes a big batch so make sure you are ready to share with friends!
Argentum Vulgaris
Not a popcorn fan… Just came over from Pam’s to wish you happy anniversary…
Aggie
Oh this is a great recipe! I would love to be snacking on this during the game!!
Lisa magicsprinkles
Ahhh. Another screen biter. I’d munch it ALL right now if I could.
Pam
You are killing me…I could eat the whole bowl by myself. Delicious!
shweetpotato
Gotta try this one YUMMY 😀 Carm
kathy
I love this! I so want some right now
Sara
I’ve never had caramel corn, but I think a batch is in order!
Laurie
I’ve never thought about making caramel corn at home but this looks great! Good luck with the contest.
I also love your waffle and syrup recipe. I recently bought a waffle iron and am looking for recipes.
And maple syrup is SO expensive lately, but I hate to buy the corn syrup ones. Your syrup recipe is so helpful.
Mary Ann
I have been wanting to make caramel corn lately. This recipe looks like a good one!
Maria
What a great snack for game day!
Judy
Good luck in the contest. My vote is for caramel corn.
Cathy
Caramel corn is one of my favorite treats. And it is so great for a party. Everybody likes it.
Meg
Caramel corn is the best. This looks fantastic.
Veronica
I just love caramel corn-and I like making it myself so there’s no nuts in it! I love nuts by themselves but hate when they are mixed in with caramel corn!
Priscilla
Yum! Looks so good, perfect snack!
Reeni♥
This is a great snack! For the Superbowl or right now! Yummy!
HoneyB
Looks great Barbara! I have such a hard time leaving homemade caramel corn alone!
Barbara
Barbara, this looks great for the Super Bowl!
Jenny
Mmmmm! I love caramel corn, it would be perfect for the Superbowl!
RecipeGirl
Wow, that looks really good!! Thanks for participating. Good luck!!