Classic Caramel Corn

Caramel corn is a bit like a warm hug—a happy surprise that is always welcome. Each bite is filled with buttery flavor, salty popcorn, and a sweet crunch. You can make the caramel as hard or as chewy as you want, and you can make it ahead for a wonderful food gift for friends, teachers, or neighbors.

Learn how to make caramel corn, and you can even get creative with some additions to the popcorn mixture, like pecans or peanuts. For an extra-special presentation, drizzle with a combination of melted dark and white chocolate for a candy-bar flavor.

Ingredients for Caramel Corn

You will need just eight ingredients for this caramel corn recipe:

• Popcorn: You don't want movie-style popcorn that's loaded with butter and salt. Plain popcorn, whether you make it in the microwave, on the stove, or in an air-popper machine, is what you want.
• Light brown sugar: For the classic caramel flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Combines with the brown sugar for a traditional caramel.
• Light corn syrup: Corn syrup keeps the caramel smooth and silky and helps avoid any granules from developing.
• Kosher salt: Seasons the popcorn for a just-right balance of salty and sweet.
• Bourbon: This is optional but it really bolsters the flavor of the caramel with some depth.
• Vanilla extract: Warms up and gives dimension to the caramel.
• Baking soda: Reacts in the caramel mixture by creating aerated pockets so the caramel won't be so sticky.

The Best Popcorn for Caramel Popcorn

For the best flavor and results, you want plain popcorn with no butter or salt. The oils from the butter can make it difficult for the caramel to stick, and the salt may make the mixture too salty if you also salt the caramel.

If you're popping your own popcorn kernels, you can do that a few days in advance. Keep in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerating the popped kernels can cause it to become soft or soggy.

How To Make Caramel Popcorn

Here, read the key points of this caramel popcorn recipe. Keep scrolling for the full recipe with step-by-step images to guide you:

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour popcorn into a large bowl. You need these ready to go before you start because you have to move fast so the caramel won't set up too quickly.
2. Bring the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cook until it reaches 260°F.
3. Add the bourbon (if using), vanilla, and baking soda.
4. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn. Stir well to coat the popcorn with the caramel mixture.
5. Spread popcorn on the baking sheets.
6. Bake popcorn for about 50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, to get the caramel fully set.
7. Remove from oven, and let cool completely. Break into smaller pieces.

Do You Have To Use A Candy Thermometer?

You really should use a candy thermometer. It's hard to guess the temperature of the caramel mixture.

But you can take the caramel mixture to a slightly lower temperature (no lower than 250°F), and up to 275°F, depending on how soft or hard you like your caramel corn. The lower you take it, the softer and more chewy your caramel corn will be. The higher the temp, the more crunchy.

How To Store Caramel Popcorn

You can make caramel popcorn up up to one week in advance. Store in airtight containers at room temperature.

More Party Snacks

Fill out your party spread with these party favorites:

• Nuts And Bolts
• Basic Pimento Cheese
• Kentucky Beer Cheese
• Dried Beef Cheese Ball
• Million Dollar Dip
• Jalapeño Popper Dip
• Copycat Publix Buffalo Chicken Dip