This easy homemade caramel corn is sweet and crunchy with the best rich, buttery caramel sauce that’s irresistibile. It’s perfect for snacking or gifting at the holidays!
The Best Classic
We LOVE homemade caramel corn around here. We make it at least once a month and this recipe is our absolute favorite. This is my mom’s recipe and trust me when I say that it is dangerously delicious!
It has a rich, sweet taste from caramel sauce and a perfectly crunchy texture. It’s super easy to whip up, and is ready almost as fast as my microwave caramel corn. We even make it into caramel popcorn balls for a holiday dessert at Christmas.
Ingredient Notes
- Popcorn: You can pop your own from popcorn kernels or I used 2 bags.
- Salted butter: Adds a rich flavor to the caramel.
- Light corn syrup: This is the key to a smooth caramel texture as it prevents the brown sugar from crystallizing.
- Salt: Use 1/2 teaspoon if popcorn is salted.
- Vanilla extract: Real vanilla extract helps balance the flavor.
- Baking soda: When added to the caramel mixture, it will foam and this means that the caramel will stick to the popcorn better.
How to Make Caramel Corn
Scroll down for the printable recipe with specific ingredients and instructions.
- Make caramel. This recipe starts by making an easy caramel sauce in a saucepan on the stove. It’s made with a mix of brown sugar, butter and light corn syrup that you melt and boil until bubbly.
- Add vanilla and baking soda. Once you’ve achieved a deep caramel color after about 4 to 5 minutes, then it’s ready to go, you don’t have to use a candy thermometer but if you do the temperature should be 240°F. Just mix in the vanilla and baking soda after that.
- Mix. Once the caramel is finished, pour it over a bowl of popcorn and gently stir together until all of the popcorn is well coated.
- Let sit. Evenly pour the mixture onto the wax paper in a single layer to cool. Then break the popcorn into pieces once it hardens.
Crunchy Homemade Caramel Corn
For a crunchier consistency, you can bake the mixture after you’ve mixed the popcorn with the caramel sauce. Just dump the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet and then bake at 250°F for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so that it doesn’t burn.
Helpful Tips
- Popcorn. You can pop a batch of stovetop popcorn with fresh kernels or use lightly salted microwave popcorn or a pre-made bag such as Skinny Pop.
- Keep an eye on the caramel. Never walk away from the stove when making homemade caramel. It can burn in an instant, so you want to keep an eye on it the whole time while it cooks on medium heat.
- Cleaning the pan. If the caramel happens to stick to the bottom of your pan, simply fill it with hot water and then bring it back to a boil on high heat. This helps break the sugar down, so that it will easily scrub off.
- Mix-in’s. After you spread the caramel corn out onto the wax paper to cool, feel free to sprinkle extras on top. We love adding M&M’s, candy corn or some chopped Snickers pieces to make this yummy Snickers popcorn variation.
How To Store Caramel Corn
Once it has cooled and hardened, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
Love popcorn recipes? Try marshmallow caramel popcorn, cookie butter popcorn or cookies and cream popcorn, too.
More Popcorn Recipes
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Easy Homemade Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- 9-10 cups popped popcorn (about 2 bags)
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , use 1/2 teaspoon if popcorn is salted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Optional: flake salt, M&M's
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Spray a large bowl with non stick spray. Place 9 cups popcorn in the bowl and set aside.
- Melt 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup light corn syrup in a large heavy bottom pan. Add 1 teaspoon salt and stir until combined. Stir continually until melted.
- Bring the brown sugar mixture to a light boil. Once it is at a light boil remove the spoon and continue to cook for 4 minutes without stirring or until the caramel color deepens or reaches 240°F. Do not walk away, you don't want it to burn.
- Immediately remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Pour over popcorn in large bowl. Add another cup or two if popcorn if needed. Stir until well coated.
- Bake if desired. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dump the caramel corn on top. Spread out evenly and then baking for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and add flake sea salt if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Christmas, Desserts, Halloween, Kid-Friendly, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Snacks, Stovetop, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Yummers!! :D
thumbs up babe!
happy crafting,
Linda
Popcorn is one of my most favorite snacks, and M&Ms are my favorite commercial candy. The two together? Heavenly! Might just have to whip up a batch for the girls’ sleepover tonight!
Jenn
haha I know I love M&M’s especially the peanut butter kind. Whip it up, it doesn’t take long! :)
Oh my gosh, I could eat her up! So adorable! Oh, and the caramel corn looks delish too! ;)
Jen
hehe thanks! :)
Yum!
YUM!!!! I LOVE caramel popcorn. I’ll have to try this one :)
I know me too! It’s so addicting though, man!
Yummers! Wish I had some right this moment! ;)
haha I know me too! sad it’s all gone.
What a easy recipe. I have made the kind that you have to put in the oven and keep turning it. What a pain that is so haven’t made that to often. This is so much easier. I can’t wait to try it..Looks so yummy!! By the way. Do you use popcorn that you pop in the microwave and with the butter? Thanks for sharing…
Yes it’s super easy… you just have to stir it for about 10 min which is kind of a pain (but definitely worth it). I used the microwave popcorn “homestyle” it’s not to buttery.
This recipe is amazing! My daughter is having an end of the school year slumber party so I made some up last night. I ended up making 3 batches! :) 2 for her and her friends and 1 for me to take on a road trip with my friends this weekend! It was so quick and easy. Thanks for sharing!
This is beautiful! We’d love for you to come link up at THIS WEEK’S CRAVINGS “Summer BBQ Dishes”. Please come on over and share this wonderful recipe!
I love it!!! I knew we’d get along good the moment I met you! LOL! I have a small tute planned for a similar popcorn but with white chocolate and sprinkles…yummmmm…I will have to try this one out though!
I LOVE Caramel Corn! The addition of the patriotic candy looks so festive! I think I have all the ingredients….I may have to go make some for a late night snack. HA! :)
Yum is right! I’m glad you’re so far away or I would be hitting you up for some caramel popcorn right now!
YUM! in the recipe when you say cube of butter…what does that mean? just like a whole stick?
i’m pregnant, so excuse the stupid question. :)
haha no worries. Sorry, just updated the post. And yes It’s the whole stick of butta!! I used margarine though. Either should work great.
That looks delicious! Such a cute dessert to have at a 4th of July cookout! And let’s be honest…isn’t everything that involves Karo just completely awesome!?
haha completely agreed! Karo syrup is dangerous!
omg how cute is she!!!!
The popcorn looks fantastic!
Thanks Leslie! :)
You know how there are certain things you just can’t make because you know you will eat all of it and will have to blame someone else for eating it…..I think this might be one of them. (trying not to lick the screen)
haha! I totally know the feeling! I gave away 3 bags this morning because I knew I would eat it all if I didn’t.
What a fun little snack!! Looks delicious. I could eat popcorn anytime…day or night..! Adorable pictures of your little munchkin at the end
Thanks Lindsay! Oh me too! I LOVE popcorn! Especially the kind from the movie theater. ;)
this looks DELICIOUS ~ I look forward to making it : ) thanks for sharing! And, your little girl is ADORABLE!
Oh it is! So addicting! You’ll have to let me know how you like it.