Go Back
–+ servings
A side view of a Halloween themed bowl filled with caramel popcorn.
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Caramel Corn

This easy, homemade Caramel Corn is a must-make recipe in my kitchen each and every Halloween season. Crunchy, sweet and completely irresistible!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16
Calories: 214kcal
Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup popcorn kernels freshly popped
  • ¾ cup butter
  • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins

  • black licorice pieces, pretzels, candy corn, assorted nuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 F degrees. Place freshly popped corn in a large roasting pan and place in oven to keep warm while making caramel coating.
  • In a medium saucepan over MEDIUM heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow to boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Remove popped corn from oven and carefully pour caramel mixture in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.
  • Spray two large rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray. Divide coated popcorn between the two baking sheets and bake in the oven at 250 degrees F, stirring with a spatula every 15 minutes, for  20 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces. Keep it pure and simple or add any optional add-ins to make it festive.
  • Store in two gallon sized zippered storage bags or other airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

Makes approximately 4 quarts.
Tips for the Best Caramel Corn
  • After popping the corn, pick through it and remove any un-popped kernels.
  • If you don't have a large roasting pan you can use a disposable foil roasting pan or any oven safe pan large enough to hold a boat load of popcorn. 
  • Be sure to use a large saucepan to make the caramel sauce as it will foam up and grow in size (and this is normal!).
  • The caramel sauce will distribute more evenly if you pour it over slightly warm popcorn. To keep your freshly popped popcorn warm, transfer it to a 250 degree F oven while you make the caramel sauce.
  • Mix in some fun ingredients like pretzels, black licorice, and candy corn. There are lots of possibilities. Mixed nuts, assorted candies, anything goes. The add-ins add some nice contrast and make it even more festive.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg