Caramel Corn is a nostalgic, sweet-and-salty snack often made during holidays or for casual gatherings. This version is simple and homey, using brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter to coat freshly popped corn in a glossy, crunchy caramel glaze. The baking step ensures an even coating and perfect crunch. Shaking it in a grocery bag helps distribute the sticky caramel more easily, a clever mid-century kitchen hack worth keeping!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 stick butter (½ cup)
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3-5 cups corn (popped )
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Caramel Sauce
- Combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda
- Stir in the baking soda once the mixture is boiling and bubbly.
- Remove from heat.
Step 3: Combine with Popcorn
- Place popped corn into a large clean paper grocery bag.
- Pour the hot caramel sauce over the popcorn.
Step 4: Shake to Coat
- Close the top of the bag and shake vigorously to coat the popcorn.
Step 5: Bake in Oven
- Place the paper bag in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Remove and shake again.
Step 6: Repeat Bake
- Return to oven for another 5 minutes.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Remove from oven, shake well again.
- Cool, then break into pieces and serve.
Tips
- Add a pinch of salt or sprinkle with sea salt after baking for salted-caramel flavor.
- Mix in peanuts, almonds, or pecans before adding the caramel for a Cracker-Jack style mix.
- Replace light corn syrup with honey for a deeper flavor (texture will be slightly softer).
- Add ½ teaspoon vanilla just after removing caramel from heat (before adding baking soda).
- For extra crunch, bake an additional 5 minutes.
- Spread on parchment instead of using a grocery bag if preferred.
- Add cinnamon or pumpkin spice for seasonal caramel corn.
- Stir in M&Ms or pretzel bits after cooling for a party mix.
- Use microwave popcorn as a shortcut (plain, unsalted recommended).
Nutrition
Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 159mgPotassium: 163mgFiber: 1gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 152IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!