Sweet Caramel Popcorn
Indulge in the irresistible crunch of **Sweet Caramel Popcorn**, a delightful homemade treat that's perfect for movie nights, parties, or gifting. This easy-to-follow recipe transforms simple popcorn kernels into a golden, buttery delight with a rich caramel coating made from **brown sugar, corn syrup, and a touch of vanilla**. The popcorn is baked to perfection in a low oven, allowing the caramel to develop its signature crisp texture while locking in that sweet, toasty flavor. With just **15 minutes of prep time** and **simple pantry staples**, you'll have a crowd-pleasing snack that's both nostalgic and utterly satisfying. Serve it fresh out of the oven or store it for an on-the-go treat—either way, this **sweet and salty caramel corn recipe** is guaranteed to disappear in no time!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
In a large pot with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover the pot, and shake occasionally until all the kernels have popped. Remove from heat.
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Then, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda until smooth.
Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn. Use a large spoon or spatula to evenly coat the popcorn with the caramel.
Spread the coated popcorn over the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and baking.
Remove from oven and let the popcorn cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break apart any large clumps and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
518 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.6 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.6 g | 63% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 52 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 291 mg | 13% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.1 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 72.1 g | ||
| Protein | 1.8 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 58 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 177 mg | 4% | |
*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.
