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Bowl of easy homemade caramel popcorn with a crunchy, sweet texture

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn

A delightful blend of crunchy popcorn and rich caramel, perfect for movie nights and gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the popcorn
  • 8 cups popped popcorn Use air-popped popcorn without oil.
For the caramel
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1.5 cups brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt Plus additional if desired.
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C) and prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  2. Use an air popper to pop your popcorn, making sure not to add any oil.
  3. Spread the popped popcorn on one of the prepared baking sheets and set it aside.
Making the caramel
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Place the saucepan on medium heat.
  2. Whisk the mixture constantly until the butter melts and the brown sugar dissolves, about 3–5 minutes.
  3. Add vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda to the caramel, continuing to whisk as it bubbles.
  4. Remove the saucepan from heat once the caramel thickens and appears lighter and fluffier, around 1–2 minutes.
  5. Quickly pour the caramel over the popcorn, using a spatula to coat it thoroughly.
Baking
  1. Bake the caramel-coated popcorn for 45–60 minutes, breaking it up into three or four 15-minute intervals. Toss the popcorn every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent clumping.
  2. After baking, transfer the popcorn to the second baking sheet to cool and break up any lumps with a spatula.
  3. If you prefer salted caramel, sprinkle some coarse salt over the popcorn while it cools.

Notes

Keep your caramel popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For extra crunch, use freshly popped popcorn without added oil or butter. Experiment with flavors by adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the caramel. If the caramel is too sticky, bake longer for the perfect crunch.