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Better than Carnival Caramel Popcorn

When we go to a carnival, my kids LOVE to get Caramel Popcorn. If you’re a frequent reader here at When Is Dinner, you know that my three teenage athlete boys eat A LOT of food, so it’s significantly more economical for me to figure out how to recreate their favorite food recipes here at home. This allows me to buy items in bulk, stretch the budget, and still feed them their favorite things.

My guys have declared this Caramel Popcorn to be “Better than Carnival”, so I mark it down as a win in my book 🙂 If your crew enjoys popcorn also, don’t miss my recipe for Cookies and Cream Popcorn, it’s a big hit in our house too!

Another great popcorn idea is this delicious sweet and salty popcorn recipe from What the Fab. She shares three ways to prepare it, and the taste is simply perfection!

You also won’t want to miss this recipe for Salted Maple Almond Popcorn!

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

Add popped popcorn to a 9×13” glass dish (or a large shallow dish) and place in oven to warm through while preparing caramel.

In a saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt. Stir until the mixture reaches a boil.

Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes without stirring.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Mix to combine.

Pour hot caramel over warm popcorn. Use a large spoon to coat the popcorn in the caramel.

Place the popcorn back in the oven for 45 minutes.

On a large baking sheet, place a piece of foil sprayed with cooking spray.

Remove popcorn from oven after 45 minutes, and spread it onto the prepared baking sheet.

Allow the popcorn to cool, and then break it apart.

Store caramel corn in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

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Yield: 8

Caramel Popcorn

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 4 quarts popcorn popped
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• ½ cup corn syrup light or dark
• ½ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

Add popped popcorn to a 9x13” glass dish (or a large shallow disand place in oven to warm through while preparing caramel.

In a saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt.

Stir until the mixture reaches a boil.

Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes without stirring.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla.

Mix to combine.

Pour hot caramel over warm popcorn.

Use a large spoon to coat the popcorn in the caramel.

Place the popcorn back in the oven for 45 minutes.

On a large baking sheet, place a piece of foil sprayed with cooking spray.

Remove popcorn from oven after 45 minutes, and spread it onto the prepared baking sheet.

Allow the popcorn to cool, and then break it apart.

Store caramel corn in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 339Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 442mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 39gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment below & if you recreate this recipe, be sure to share a photo on Instagram. Tag me @when.is.dinner and hashtag #whenisdinner!

These are a few items I find helpful when preparing this Caramel Popcorn Recipe in my own kitchen:

Pyrex Basics 3 Quart Glass Oblong Baking Dish with Red Plastic Lid -13.2 INCH x 8.9inch x 2 inchUtopia Kitchen Nonstick Saucepan Set – 1 Quart and 2 Quart – Glass Lid – Multipurpose Use for Home Kitchen or RestaurantThe Original Popco Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper with Handles, Silicone Popcorn Maker, Collapsible Bowl Bpa Free and Dishwasher Safe (Blue)Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels, Original Yellow, 30 oz Each (Pack of 6)Snappy Popcorn Butter Burst Oil, 1 gallon (128 fl oz)Gourmet Popcorn: 100 Recipes for Any OccasionParty Popcorn: 75 Creative Recipes for Everyone’s Favorite SnackPopcorn!: 100 Sweet and Savory RecipesPopcorn Treats