This homemade caramel corn recipe doesn’t require baking and uses just a few, easy ingredients! Plus, make your popcorn using my easy homemade popcorn recipe and you’re ready for the ultimate fall, snack!
Each year when the temps lower to…oh… say 40 degrees or so, I start craving all the winter goodies. Like this Peppermint latte, peppermint cake, sugar cookies, and well… just about anything not good for me. Caramel corn is one of those winter staples that I begin craving instantly
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I remember making caramel corn as a kid with my parents, and I thought it was one of the coolest things ever. Now, I can make caramel corn with my kids and make our own memories!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe
No baking required! Yes really. I love how it doesn’t take hours to make this recipe and you can start eating it as soon as it cools off. (For real, make sure it cools off. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burnt my tongue because I’m too impatient.)
Ingredients
With only using a few ingredients, you can make this super easy caramel corn at home too. Here are the everyday ingredients you’ll be using but make sure to see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions all in one place.
- Popped Popcorn – I prefer making my own with kernels so I don’t have to worry about the flavorings and extras that microwave popcorn tends to have.
- Butter – Real butter is recommended here.
- Light Brown Sugar – You can use dark brown sugar too!
- Vanilla Extract – I prefer to use real vanilla, instead of imitation.
- Baking Soda
- Salt
How to Make the Caramel Corn
First you’ll brown your butter, then add the brown sugar and salt. Allow those items to boil and then add vanilla and baking soda! Mix to combine and then pour over the prepared popcorn.
Pour the caramel covered popcorn on to a greased, or parchment paper lined baking sheet and allow it the caramel to harden and dry.
Pro Tips
- I like to stir the popcorn after about 10 minutes while it’s cooling to help dry it out faster.
- This caramel corn recipe is great to give out as gifts during the holiday season. Package it up in cute packaging with a gift tag (like these Christmas popcorn balls) and it’s ready to go! Just make sure it has cooled off before packaging or it will get soggy.
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Recipe
Caramel Corn Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 8 cups Popped Popcorn
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste (We like to use kosher salt.)
Instructions
- Make plain popcorn by following this homemade popcorn recipe or using store bought, and place in large mixing bowl.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add brown sugar and salt and stir until mixed.
- Bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a boil, stirring consistently.
- When it begins to boil, stop stirring and allow it to cook for 5 minutes, but after 4 minutes add vanilla and stir to mix.
- Continue to boil for one more minute and then add the baking soda, stir until mixed in.
- Grab the bowl of popcorn and drizzle the caramel sauce over the top. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently stir until all the popcorn is covered with the sauce.
- Pour the popcorn out and spread out onto a flat surface to allow cooling. (i.e cookie sheet, wax paper, etc.)
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Kelly says
It’s Christmas Day and my husband and I are enjoying this treat very much! Very good!
Jessica says
Awwww, I love hearing that you like this caramel corn! Thank you!!
Tricia Floyd says
Great and easy recipe. Only the timing wasn’t quite right as my first batch still had crystals in the sauce. Added an extra 3 minutes and then added the vanilla and baking soda and it turned out perfect!
Jessica says
Hi Tricia! Thanks for sharing and for letting me know. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!