Mom's Caramel Corn

Crunchy, golden, and irresistibly sweet, Mom’s Caramel Corn brings the perfect combination of buttery richness and nostalgic charm to your snack table. This homemade treat uses freshly popped popcorn coated in a luscious homemade caramel sauce made from real butter, brown sugar, and a touch of vanilla for that extra depth of flavor. The addition of baking soda creates a light, airy texture in the caramel, ensuring every bite is delightfully crisp. Baked to perfection for a satisfying crunch, this recipe is as easy to make as it is fun to savor, taking just 15 minutes to prep and yielding a batch large enough to share (or not!). Perfect for movie nights, holiday gatherings, or gifting, this caramel corn is a timeless favorite that stays fresh for up to two weeks in an airtight container, though it rarely lasts that long!

Nutriscore Rating: 34/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup popcorn kernels (unpopped)
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups brown sugar (packed)
• 0.5 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for popping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover the pot with a lid, and shake gently while cooking until all kernels are popped. Remove from heat and transfer popcorn to a large bowl, discarding unpopped kernels.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.

Step 4

Once boiling, stop stirring and allow the mixture to boil undisturbed for 4-5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 5

Remove the caramel mixture from heat and immediately stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up; stir until fully incorporated.

Step 6

Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn in the large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently toss the popcorn until it is evenly coated.

Step 7

Spread the caramel-coated popcorn evenly across the prepared baking sheets, ensuring a single layer for even cooking.

Step 8

Bake the popcorn in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and crispness.

Step 9

After baking, remove the popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheets. The caramel will harden as it cools.

Step 10

Once cooled, break apart any large clumps of popcorn and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(896.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3775.8

Total Fat 130.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 248mg	0%
Sodium 3166.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 665.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.5g	0%
Total Sugars 550.7g
Protein 17.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 428.7mg	0%
Iron 7.4mg	0%
Potassium 1074.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.1%

Protein: 1.8%

Carbs: 68.1%