Christmas Caramel Corn
Get ready to elevate your holiday snacking with this irresistible Christmas Caramel Corn! This festive treat combines crunchy, freshly popped popcorn with a rich, buttery caramel glaze that's baked to perfection for a satisfyingly crisp texture. The real showstoppers are the cheerful Christmas-themed sprinkles, added while the caramel is still warm, bringing a colorful holiday flair to every bite. Quick to prepare in just 15 minutes of hands-on time, this recipe is perfect for sharing at gatherings or packaging into adorable DIY gifts. With its balance of sweet and salty and its festive appearance, Christmas Caramel Corn is the ultimate holiday indulgence that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Popcorn kernels
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup Christmas-themed sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat a large pot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels, cover the pot with a lid, and shake occasionally to prevent burning. Continue cooking until the popping slows down. Remove from heat and transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.
Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of light corn syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil and allow the mixture to boil for 4-5 minutes without stirring.
Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully stir in 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The caramel mixture will foam slightly; stir until combined.
Quickly pour the caramel mixture over the prepared popcorn in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss the popcorn, ensuring it is evenly coated in caramel.
Spread the caramel-coated popcorn evenly onto the lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.
Remove the popcorn from the oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup of Christmas-themed sprinkles over it while it's still warm. Gently mix to distribute the sprinkles.
Allow the popcorn to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into clusters and store in an airtight container for up to a week. Serve or package as holiday gifts!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1384 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.4 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.0 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1548 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 283.6 g | 103% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 239.6 g | ||
| Protein | 6.0 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 126 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 366 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
