Sharing is caring!

This caramel corn recipe is so easy to make. With about 20 minutes of prep and some basic ingredients, you will have the most delicious caramel corn loaded with buttery caramel flavor. This is the most addictive caramel corn recipe that you will want to share with all your friends and family. This is one treat your family will always agree on once they try it. 

Caramel Corn Recipe

I remember growing up getting so excited to go to grandma’s house because it meant that she probably had made a giant batch of caramel corn the day before for us to enjoy as soon as we got there. Her caramel corn recipe was the best. 

As I got bigger she eventually taught me how to make her caramel corn recipe. To this day I still make it for my kids and it is their favorite. Once you try this recipe, it will become your go-to caramel corn recipe as well. 

This is the perfect recipe to give as gifts, have at parties, or enjoy on family movie night. 

Pair this with other dessert favorites on movie night like our chocolate fondue recipe, our air fryer apple chips, and our boston cream donuts. 

Ingredients

5 Quarts of popped popcorn

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine

½ cup light corn syrup

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Caramel Corn

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. If not using a roasting pan, prepare two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or grease with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl or roasting pan, place the popcorn. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, corn syrup, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

• Remove the foamy syrup from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract.

• Pour the syrup over the popcorn and stir gently to combine.

• If not using a roasting pan, transfer the popcorn to the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake the popcorn for 60 minutes, stirring well every 15 minutes.

• Remove the popcorn from the oven and place it on baking sheets lined with parchment paper (if using a roasting pan.) Spread the popcorn apart and cool completely.

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Tips Tricks and FAQs

• Don’t worry if the caramel is not evenly coated before baking, just do the best you can. As it bakes and as you stir the popcorn, the caramel will continue to melt and coat all the pieces as it becomes crispy. This will helps the pieces to separate as it bakes. 
• Be sure you spread the caramel corn apart as it cools. If you leave it all touching it will harden as a clump. 
• You can halve the recipe if you prefer or double it. 
• If you have a big enough roasting pan, you can cook the syrup over two burners if you prefer. If not, just use a medium saucepan and then pour the caramel over your popcorn. 

Can you eat this without baking it?

Yes, you can eat this caramel corn prior to baking it. Just note it will probably not be evenly coated and it will be sticky. 

• Chocolate Caramel
• Easy Homemade Caramels
• Caramel Apple Dip
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
• Peanut Butter Popcorn

Sharing is caring!