Caramel Corn is a treat that brings together the simplicity of popcorn with the rich, buttery taste of homemade caramel. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for movie nights, holiday gatherings, or as a sweet gift for friends and family.
Whether you choose to include the optional peanuts for an added crunch or keep it classic, this recipe guarantees a deliciously addictive result that will have everyone asking for more.
This Caramel Corn recipe is an absolute must-try for its perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing snack that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients:
- 7 quarts plain popped popcorn
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup margarine
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Prepare the Popcorn: Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You can use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. If using, sprinkle the peanuts evenly over the popcorn. Set aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to ensure it blends well. Once boiling, continue to cook for 5 minutes while stirring continuously.
- Add Baking Soda and Vanilla: Remove the caramel mixture from the heat. Stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will become light and foamy.
- Coat the Popcorn: Immediately pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn in the pans. Stir to coat the popcorn evenly, though it doesn’t need to be perfect at this stage.
- Bake the Caramel Corn: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. Stir the caramel corn every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and to prevent sticking.
- Cool the Caramel Corn: Line your countertop with waxed paper. After baking, dump the caramel corn onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces as they cool. Allow the caramel corn to cool completely.
- Store: Once cooled, store the caramel corn in airtight containers or resealable bags to keep it fresh.
