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    Home » Desserts » Caramel Corn

    Caramel Corn

    Published: Sep 19, 2019 · Modified: Jan 2, 2020 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy homemade caramel corn recipe! This simple recipe uses 7 pantry staple ingredients to make this easy and delicious popcorn. Caramel corn on a silicone baking mat

    Homemade popcorn is practically irresistable! By itself, popcorn doesn't have much flavor, but it's the perfect base for any number of sweet, salty, or sweet and salty combinations.

    This caramel corn is sweet and just the tiniest bit salty. It's sweet and crunchy and makes a delicious dessert or snack.

    The pocorn is also super easy to make! It takes a little bit of time to make, but it's mostly hands-off, and this super tasty treat is worth the time it takes to make it.

    How To Make Caramel Corn

    Butter brown sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan

    Add the popcorn to a greased baking pan. Place in the oven while you make the caramel.

    To make the caramel, add the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt to a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

    caramel corn on a baking sheet

    Once at a boil, stop stirring and let boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla.

    Pour the caramel over the warm popcorn. Toss to coat the popcorn. The popcorn won't be entirely coated.

    Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool, and break apart before serving.

    Close up photo of homemade caramel corn

    Why Use Baking Soda in Caramel Corn?

    Baking soda may sound like a strange addition, but there's a science to making caramel. The baking soda reacts with the acids in the caramel to form carbon dioxide bubbles.

    Those carbon dioxide bubbles help to aerate and lighten up the caramel. That way you end up with a light but crisp caramel coating.

    How To Store Caramel Corn

    Caramel corn should be stored in a resealable container to keep it fresh.

    To crisp it back up, spread the caramel corn in a single layer in a rimmed baking dish. Bake in a 225F oven for about 5 minutes.

    Pile of homemade caramel corn Tips To Make Perfect Caramel Corn

    • Either air popped or microwave popcorn will work in this recipe. If using microwave popcorn, I recommend using plain, unflavored popcorn.
    • If you want more of a salty/sweet popcorn, use salted butter. If you want a sweeter, more traditional caramel corn, use unsalted butter.
    • I use a sheet pan for this recipe. However, if you're worried about making a mess in your oven, either remove the popcorn to stir it or use a baking pan with higher sides.
    • For easier clean up, I like to use a silicone baking mat in the bottom of my pan.

    More Popcorn Recipes!

    • Birthday Cake Popcorn Recipe
    • Cinnamon Bun Popcorn Recipe
    • Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn
    • Zebra Popcorn Recipe

    If you’ve tried this caramel corn recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Caramel corn on a silicone baking mat

    Caramel Corn Recipe

    Easy homemade caramel corn recipe.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 364kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    • 10 cups popped plain popcorn
    • 1 ½ cups brown sugar packed
    • ¾ cup light corn syrup
    • ¾ cup butter1
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt2
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Grease a large rimmed baking sheet or pan with cooking spray or line with a silicone baking mat.
    • Preheat oven to 225F.
    • Put popcorn on baking sheet, and place in the oven while you make the caramel.
    • Add brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt to a large, heavy saucepan.
    • Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
    • Let it boil 5 minutes without stirring.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Add baking soda and vanilla, and stir in to combine.
    • Remove popcorn from oven, and pour caramel over warm popcorn, tossing to coat. The popcorn may not be completely coated, and that's ok.
    • Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
    • Remove from oven and let cool in a single layer on the baking sheet.
    • Break apart before serving.

    Notes

    1. Use salted butter for more of a salted caramel flavor or use unsalted butter for a more traditional caramel corn.
    2. Or ¼ teaspoon table salt.
    3. Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 447IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
    « Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
    Apple Cider Donut Muffins »
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. diving101

      January 15, 2020 at 10:11 pm

      5 stars
      It looks so delicious, I like it!

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 16, 2020 at 11:03 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Chelsea

      October 02, 2019 at 9:40 am

      5 stars
      Love this! The caramel corn is SO stinkin good! I ate it all myself. LOL

      Reply
      • Kate

        October 02, 2019 at 9:43 am

        Haha! I know what you mean! =) Thanks for commenting!

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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