Easy Homemade Caramel Corn (2024)

posted by Laurie on April 24, 2023// 199 Comments

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Our Easy Homemade Caramel Corn is a family favorite. It is super yummy and super easy. And you don’t need Corn Syrup for this recipe.

We’ve tried a lot of recipes looking for good, Easy Homemade Caramel Corn that doesn’t use corn syrup. We’ve finally found one that we love. This popcorn tastes amazing … buttery and caramel-y just the way it should. And no corn syrup required! And it could not be easier to make. It has quickly risen up the list of most requested family treats!

Ingredients You Will Need

Preparing the Popcorn

Step 1:You will need 10 cups of popcorn. We pop our popcorn on the stove (you can find our directions on How to Make Perfect Popcorn here) but you can use air-popped or microwave.
Step 2:After the popcorn is popped, make sure to remove all of the un-popped kernels. You don’t want to bite down on one of those!
Step 3: Once you have made the popcorn, add some salt. Sweet and salty is a great combination and it goes especially nicely with the caramel.

How to Make the Caramel Mixture

Step 4: Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat. It should be hot enough to melt the butter but not too hot or the butter will burn (or turn into brown butter.)
Step 5: Add 1 cup of light brown sugar and stir until the brown sugar and the melted butter are thoroughly mixed.
Step 6: If you can see a thin layer of butter on the surface of the butter/brown sugar mixture (as shown in the picture above) continue to stir on low heat. The butter and brown sugar will come together so continue to stir until thoroughly combined.
Step 7: When the butter and sugar are completely combined, increase the heat to medium-low, just high enough to bring the caramel mixture to a low boil. When the surface starts to bubble, set the timer for 4 minutes and stop stirring.

Step 8: When the 4-minute timer goes off, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the mixture.
Step 9: Set the timer for 1 additional minute and stir the vanilla into the caramel mixture.
Step 10: When the 1-minute timer goes off, add the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix.
Step 11: This will cause the caramel to change colors and foam up a bit. This is the chemical reaction that you want. The bubbling effect of the baking soda will aerate the caramel and make it lighter and smoother and therefore easier to coat the popcorn. Take the caramel mixture off the heat.

Putting It Altogether

Steps 12-15: Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn a bit at a time. Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until all the kernels are covered.

Step 16: Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with, parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silpat liner. Allow the homemade Caramel Corn to cool prior to serving. Our family loves this popcorn so it has never lasted longer than a day at our house. This popcorn definitely tastes best right after it is made but will keep for a few days in an airtight container.

Expert Tips and FAQ’s

What kind of popcorn should I use?

Other Caramel Recipes You Will Love

The Best Caramel Buttercream Frosting
Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Caramel Apple Cookies
Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
Caramel Sticky Buns

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Easy Homemade Caramel Corn

Yield10 cups

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Additional Time5 minutes

Total Time25 minutes

Our Easy Homemade Caramel Corn is a family favorite. It is super yummy and super easy. And you don't need Corn Syrup for this recipe.

Ingredients

10 Cups Popped Popcorn
Salt (to taste)
1 cup Butter (Sweet Cream Salted)
1 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

Instructions

You will need 10 cups of popcorn. We pop our popcorn on the stove (you can find our directions on How to Make Perfect Popcorn here) but you can use air-popped or microwave.
After the popcorn is popped, make sure to remove all of the un-popped kernels. You don’t want to bite down on one of those!
Once you have made the popcorn, add some salt. Sweet and salty is a great combination and it goes especially nicely with the caramel.
Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat. It should be hot enough to melt the butter but not too hot or the butter will burn (or turn into brown butter.)
Add 1 cup of light brown sugar and stir until the brown sugar and the melted butter are thoroughly mixed.
If you can see a thin layer of butter on the surface of the butter/brown sugar mixture (as shown in the picture above) continue to stir on low heat. The butter and brown sugar will come together so continue to stir until thoroughly combined.
When the butter and sugar are completely combined, increase the heat to medium-low, just high enough to bring the caramel mixture to a low boil. When the surface starts to bubble, set the timer for 4 minutes and stop stirring.
When the 4-minute timer goes off, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the mixture.
Set the timer for 1 additional minute and stir the vanilla into the caramel mixture.
When the 1-minute timer goes off, add the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix.
This will cause the caramel to change colors and foam up a bit. This is the chemical reaction that you want. The bubbling effect of the baking soda will aerate the caramel and make it lighter and smoother and therefore easier to coat the popcorn. Take the caramel mixture off the heat.
Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn a bit at a time. Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until all the kernels are covered.
Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with, parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silpat liner. Allow the homemade Caramel Corn to cool prior to serving. Our family loves this popcorn so it has never lasted longer than a day at our house. This popcorn definitely tastes best right after it is made but will keep for a few days in an airtight container.

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