Old Fashioned Caramel Corn
Old-fashioned caramel corn is a classic sweet and crunchy treat that will leave you wanting one more handful. This caramel corn is loaded with a buttery and sweet flavor, and a homemade caramel sauce coats the popcorn perfectly.
You can make this irresistible popcorn recipe to snack on for a movie night at home, an after-school snack, or to gift to loved ones this holiday season. The perfect snack for cold fall days!
Be sure to check out my peanut butter popcorn balls, cinnamon popcorn, or even my caramel Chex mix. All are tasty popcorn recipes.
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
- Popcorn: You want to reach for popcorn that you pop without butter or salt. You can use an air popper or buy plain bagged popcorn.
- Butter: You will use real butter to help create that rich and decadent buttery caramel flavor.
- Corn Syrup: The corn syrup will be the sweetener and help create a smooth and light texture without crystalizing like traditional sugar.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is going to create that caramel flavor to the popcorn.
- Vanilla: A vanilla splash will help create layers of aromatic flavors in the popcorn.
- Salt: A sprinkle of salt will enhance and balance all the flavors of the popcorn.
- Baking Soda: This helps create bubbles in the mixture, making it light and ensuring the caramel coats the popcorn.
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Substitutions and Variations
- Dairy-Free: To make this dairy-free, swap out the butter with coconut oil. It is a twist and will make it lighter with a slight hint of coconut flavor.
- Cheese Popcorn: Once you have your popcorn made, mix it with some cheese-flavored popcorn to make a sweet and savory snack.
- Maple Syrup: Swap the corn syrup with maple syrup for a rich flavor that will not be as sweet.
- Agave or Honey: If you want a more natural sweetener, you can opt for agave syrup or honey, which can be swapped in for corn syrup.
- Dark Brown Sugar: To intensify the flavor, use dark brown sugar to make it richer, giving the caramel a more intense molasses flavor.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Use paste instead of extract to intensify the vanilla flavor.
NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations
How To Make Old Fashioned Caramel Corn
Before getting on the fun part of making the caramel, let's do the prep work. Preheat the oven and line your jelly roll pans with parchment paper. Then spray the pan with cooking spray. Spread your popped popcorn on the pans evenly.
Step 1: Add the butter, corn syrup, sugar, and salt to a saucepan.
Step 2: Cook on medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Step 3 & 4: Once it has boiled hard, remove it from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. This will cause the mixture to foam.
Step 5: Pour over the popcorn and stir to coat the popcorn.
Step 6: Then, bake as directed, stirring often.
Step 7: Once done, remove from the pan, let the popcorn, and then enjoy.
Tips and Tricks
Preheat your oven. If you do not, the caramel will not stay crispy as it bakes onto the popcorn.
When you are cooking the caramel mixture in the saucepan, make sure to stir constantly. Otherwise, the caramel mixture will burn.
Do not add vanilla until the mixture is removed from the heat. It will help ensure the vanilla flavor is dispersed into the mixture. If you cook the vanilla, the flavor will cook off.
Ensure you stir the popcorn every 15 minutes to prevent it from burning while it is baking.
How to Store and Freeze
Once the popcorn is fully cooled, you will want to store it in an airtight container or sealed bag at room temperature. The caramel corn will last for 1-2 weeks.
You can also freeze for up to 3 months. Just freeze in a freezer container or bag. Then thaw at room temperature and enjoy.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes. You can use microwave popcorn to make homemade caramel corn. Just choose plain or lightly salted popcorn.
If you find your caramel corn sticky, you need to bake it a bit longer. You want the caramel to bake long enough for it to harden. You can return the popcorn to the oven and bake for a bit longer.
Yes. Add your favorite nuts, dried fruit, or pretzels with the popcorn on the pan. Then coat it with caramel and bake it the same. If you want to mix in chocolate chips or chopped candy, mix in once the caramel mixture is baked onto the popcorn and cooled.
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Old Fashioned Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 28 cups popped popcorn about 1 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 cup butter cubed
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line two large, rimmed jelly roll pans with parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the popped popcorn evenly across the two prepared jelly roll pans.
- Add the cubed butter, corn syrup, sugar, and salt to a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring up to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Once the caramel syrup has boiled for 5 minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extra. It will foam up.
- Pour the syrup evenly over the top of the popcorn. Gently stir to help evenly distribute and thoroughly coat the popcorn.
- Place the popcorn in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Remove the popcorn from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Once cooled, in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
