The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (2024)

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This is the BEST homemade caramel corn recipe! This caramel popcorn is so much cheaper and fresher than the store bought kind and my kids and family love it! It’s great for parties and after school snacks

The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (2)

The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe!

Below are some great snacks for any holiday party, football get together or just curled up on the couch watching TV.

Peanut Caramel Popcorn
(just like Cracker Jacks)

1 cup margarine
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
6 qts. popped corn
1/2-1 cup peanuts

Melt margarine in large saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Gradually pour over popped corn and peanuts. Mix until coated. Makes 6 quarts.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice Popcorn

1/4 cup butter
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup peanuts
8 cups of popped corn

In a microwave container, melt butter and add sugar and spices. Add nuts and coat well. In a large bowl place popped corn and pour in butter and nut mix, tossing to coat everything well.

For more quick and easy recipes like this homemade caramel corn recipe, check out our cookbooks!

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Comments

  1. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (7)Angie M.

    I tried this last night. My two kids and I needed a treat for watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”. This hit the spot. I only had butter flavored microwave popcorn, so I popped a bag of that. The recipe calls for 8 cups of popped popcorn. According to the nutrition facts on the microwave popcorn, one bag makes 10 cups so I used 5 tablespoons of butter (recipe calls for 4 tablespoons) and a pinch more brown sugar. I decided to leave out the cinnamon and nutmeg this time. It was SO yummy! The microwave popcorn was a little salty and we LOVE sweet/salty popcorn. I was afraid that since the microwave popcorn was butter flavor it might be too buttery…but it wasn’t. It turned out really good. The kids said it reminded them of kettle corn and it kind of did…better I thought! We loved it and will be making it again. I will try popping plain popcorn sometime and add the cinnamon and nutmeg to the butter/brown sugar. Thanks Tawra and Jill for another yummy recipe!!!

    Reply

    • The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (8)Jill

      Thanks for letting us know how that worked with microwave popcorn so now we will know how to do it. For you or anyone else who happens to have Dining and like seasoned popcorn check out pages 316-317 and it is all popcorn recipes – different spices and flavors to add, barbecue, spiced and there is a too simple recipe for Kettle corn too.

      Reply

      • The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (9)Susie

        Is that in Volume 1 or 2?

        Reply

        • The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (10)Jill

          It is in volume 1 Susie

          Reply

  2. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (11)grandma

    I did this using brown sugar splenda and it had a nice mapley flavour. I also add a fair bit of salt since Don likes sweet and I like salty so it pleased both of us.

    was going to post on baked potatoes but there is no place to post a comment.

    Reply

  3. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (12)sheila

    This is the first time I have commented on anything, but I was fixing oatmeal the other day, and I wanted to flavor it somehow. I usually add butter and sugar to mine. Well I had purchased some hazelnut coffee creamer, the powered kind. I added about 4 T. of it to the oatmeal, and it was delicious. I was just thinking, when I read your popcorn/kettlecorn post, that instead of brown sugar, you may can add the hazelnut coffee creamer. I will try this later and let you know. Great website.

  4. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (13)JANIS NEILL

    DO YOU HAVE RECIPES FOR HOT AND SPICEY POPCORN????

    Reply

    • The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (14)Jill

      Yes Janis we do. One of our many popcorn recipes in Dining on a Dime is
      Spiced Popcorn
      1 tsp. paprika
      1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
      1/2 tsp. ground cumin
      1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
      1/4 cup butter, melted

      Mix together and pour over popcorn.

      Reply

  5. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (15)Clay Blacklock

    Would like to see more tips on saving money at the grocery store

    Thanks

    Reply

    • The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (16)Jill

      Clay we have many many posts on that subject plus Dining on a Dime is packed and we have a whole e book set on it. Here is a link to many of the posts – you can scroll down and start picking out which ones you would like to read – don’t forget the boxes at the bottom to take you to even more.
      Saving Money on Groceries posts

      For more here is our whole set of grocery saving e books

      Reply

  6. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (17)Mary Jane

    Years ago, a neighbour got us hooked on garlic and onion flavoured popcorn, on movie night. (The things you learn in the dead of winter, and town is 15 miles away on dark, snowy roads!) Just butter your popcorn as usual, then experiment with 1/2 tsp. of garlic powder, or onion powder and add to it to suit your taste. The only advice I have is to avoid what those same neighbours did….don’t have a garlic popcorn night when all of you have dental appointments first thing the next morning.

    Reply

  7. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (18)Kerry

    I just made this for my grandkids trick or treat this afternoon. I’ve this same recipe – sans nuts – for years,but my directions say that once thoroughly mixed, dump coated popcorn onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (I use my roaster) and bake at 200* for 1 hr. It crisps the outside coating without altering the flavor of the buttery caramel. Oven toasted or not, this is the easiest, yummiest caramel corn!

    Reply

  8. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (19)Susan Buchanan

    I’m trying this tomorrow. Love your show and all the demos. Kitchen looks great also.

    Reply

  9. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (20)Dawn M Curtis

    My recipe for caramel corn involves baking for an hour at 250 and stirring every 15 minutes. This looks way, way easier. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

  10. The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (21)Kathy Bullmer

    I think this would make a great Christmas gift and you could add a prize to it just like cracker jacks. 😋

    Reply

    • The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (22)Jill

      Yes cute idea Kathy to add the prize.

      Reply

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The BEST Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Why is my caramel corn not crunchy? ›

→ The exact cooking temperature isn't critical with this recipe, but ideally you want the sugar mixture to reach between 250°F and 300°F. The longer you cook the syrup, the crunchier it will be. For very crunchy popcorn (my favorite!), stop cooking when you see the first wisps of smoke coming from the sugar mixture.

What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? ›

Baking soda is what makes caramel corn chewy with a bit of crunch and gives it the classic brittle texture. The baking soda also helps the mixture to increase in volume which ensures it covers all of the popcorn. It's an essential ingredient and without it you'll likely find the texture of the caramel corn to be off.

How do you make Martha Stewart caramel popcorn? ›

In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss. Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes.

Why is my homemade caramel corn grainy? ›

Why is my Caramel Corn Grainy? Grainy caramel (or crystalized caramel) happens when the sugar crystals in the caramel seize up or cling together.

Why did my caramel corn come out chewy? ›

Generally, the caramel will have a higher 'water activity' than the popcorn. As a result, if you leave the popcorn for a while, moisture from the caramel will migrate into the corn. This causes the popcorn to lose its 'crunch' and become soft and chewy.

Why do you put an egg in the pan when making caramel popcorn? ›

Even if you want to add candy or sauces, it doesn't require an egg. Still, some say the egg keeps the kernels from sticking together, while others say it's to keep wannabe chefs from adding too many kernels to the pan.

Is white or yellow popcorn better for caramel corn? ›

Caramel: You will need brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup, salt, vanilla, and baking soda to make the caramel mixture. Popcorn: I prefer white popcorn in this recipe. However, you could use white or yellow.

How do you make caramel thicker without cornstarch? ›

If you want a thickener that will not alter the glossy color of the caramel, try tapioca flour (not pearls). Simply add small amount to your sauce to thicken it.

Should you stir caramel? ›

Like dry caramel, you want to gently move the sugar mixture in that same side-to-side paintbrush-like fashion until the sugar dissolves. Then, as soon as the mixture comes to a boil, it should not be stirred, as the agitation can cause crystallization.

What happens if you over boil caramel? ›

Overheating the mixture

Follow the recipe carefully, and never melt your caramel on your stove's highest setting—it will cause the caramel to scorch and taste burnt. Once it gets a burnt or bitter flavor, it can't be saved.

Why add baking soda to caramel popcorn? ›

The baking soda reacts with the acid in the recipe (i.e., brown sugar) to create an airier, more brittle texture that's not as sticky as the recipes without it. The charms of caramel corn finally made sense. Once coated, the popcorn goes into the oven for about half an hour.

Why is my caramel popcorn soggy? ›

Baking the caramel-coated popcorn helps to set the caramel sauce. By skipping this step, the caramel corn will become soggy.

Why did my caramel popcorn crystallize? ›

A granule of sugar, over-mixing, or uncooperative clumps of sea salt can turn caramel from a glossy, shiny confection into a dull grainy heap of chewy, brown sugar crystals.

What does baking soda do to cornbread? ›

Salt: To enhance the flavors. Baking powder & baking soda: To help the bread rise. Eggs: Needed for moisture and structure. Milk: Whole buttermilk is best for this recipe.

What gives Carmel its flavor? ›

What Is Caramel? Caramel is white granulated sugar that's been heated slowly to 340 degrees Fahrenheit. This gradual heating process breaks down the sugar's molecules and creates a deep golden brown color and rich flavor.

What happens when you mix cornstarch and baking soda? ›

And, cornstarch and baking soda can make air dry clay! So simple to make at home and the kids love making it as well. Here is a recipe for you to make air clay that you can shape, paint and use for whatever your heart desires- make them into magnets, wall hangings, ornaments…

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