Best 8 Classic Caramel Corn Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful crunch and irresistible sweetness of classic caramel corn, a timeless treat that captures the essence of fairs, carnivals, and cozy movie nights. This beloved snack, with its golden-brown glaze and enticing aroma, is an irresistible temptation for people of all ages. Whether you prefer a simple, traditional recipe or one with a creative twist, this article offers a collection of classic caramel corn recipes that will satisfy your cravings. From the basic method using sugar, corn syrup, and butter to variations incorporating nuts, marshmallows, and even bacon, these recipes provide a range of options to suit every taste. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary journey to create the perfect batch of classic caramel corn.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

MY AMISH FRIEND'S CARAMEL CORN



My Amish Friend's Caramel Corn image

This recipe comes from an Amish family who package this treat for gifts to friends and neighbors every Christmas. It is truly the tastiest, easiest, and most foolproof caramel corn recipe you'll ever find!

Provided by ANITALOUISE

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Popcorn Candy Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 28

Number Of Ingredients 8

7 quarts plain popped popcorn
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
  • Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.
  • Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans, and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.4 calories, Carbohydrate 21.9 g, Fat 16.3 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 387.6 mg, Sugar 12.2 g

CARAMEL CORN



Caramel Corn image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 10 cups of caramel corn

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 cup honey
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 cups popped popcorn

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 300°. Combine the honey, butter, molasses, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil, stirring, until the butter melts, about 2 minutes.
  • Pour the caramel over the popcorn in a large bowl; toss well. Spread the popcorn evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Bake, checking often, until the popcorn is crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely.

OVEN CARAMEL CORN



Oven Caramel Corn image

This classic caramel corn is perfect as an everyday snack or packaged as a homemade gift for your favorite foodie.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Gifts & Decor

Time 1h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 cups popped popcorn
1 1/2 cups walnut or pecan halves or 1 1/2 cups unblanched whole almonds
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 200°F. Divide popcorn and pecans between 2 ungreased rectangular pans, 13x9x2 inches.
  • Heat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around edges. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Stir in baking soda.
  • Pour mixture over popcorn and walnuts; stir until well coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 4, Fiber 2 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 220 mg

PUFFED CARAMEL CORN



Puffed Caramel Corn image

Puffed corn can be found in the potato chip aisle of your grocery store. This is a great caramel corn without hulls or unpopped kernels. Warning: you need to make a double batch of this because it doesn't last long, at least not in my house. Very addicting. Love it!

Provided by rookie

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Popcorn Candy Recipes

Time 1h7m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (8 ounce) bag corn puffs (such as O-Ke-Doke®)
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
  • Combine corn puffs and peanuts in a large roasting pan.
  • Bring butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a boil in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda until mixture foams up. Pour over corn-peanut mixture and toss well using rubber spatulas.
  • Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes, until a cooled piece of corn is crunchy, about 45 minutes.
  • Spread on waxed paper to cool. Break apart and transfer to an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 631.3 calories, Carbohydrate 62 g, Cholesterol 62.1 mg, Fat 42.2 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 17.6 g, Sodium 787.5 mg, Sugar 33.7 g

CARAMEL CORN I



Caramel Corn I image

This caramel corn is great for Monday night football. The assortment of nuts makes it deluxe caramel corn. It takes a bit of time, but is more than worth it.

Provided by Terri McCarrell

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Popcorn Candy Recipes

Yield 25

Number Of Ingredients 11

5 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ½ cups unpopped popcorn
1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup peanuts
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup almonds

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
  • Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Place popped corn in oven to keep warm. Repeat until all corn has been popped. Set aside.
  • Melt margarine or butter in a medium saucepan, and then stir in brown sugar, syrup, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly; boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Stir baking soda, vanilla, peanuts, pecans, and almonds into brown sugar mixture. Quickly pour nut mixture over warm popcorn, and toss until well coated. Spread on greased cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, stirring well every 15 minutes. Cool on aluminum foil, and store in an air-tight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.7 calories, Carbohydrate 40.1 g, Cholesterol 19.5 mg, Fat 20 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 5.5 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 180.5 mg, Sugar 19.8 g

CARAMEL CORN



Caramel Corn image

A sweet crunchier version of an all-time favorite snack that's perfect for picnics, family movie nights or gifting.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Gifts & Decor

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds, if desired
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 250°F. Spread popcorn in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Sprinkle almonds over popcorn.
  • In large saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, water, corn syrup and salt; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in baking soda until well mixed. Immediately pour mixture over popcorn and almonds; toss until coated.
  • Bake at 250°F. for 15 minutes. Stir; bake an additional 15 minutes. Stir; bake 5 minutes. Immediately spread on foil or waxed paper. Cool 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 4 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Cup, Sodium 530 mg, Sugar 30 g

CRUNCHY CARAMEL CORN



Crunchy Caramel Corn image

Skip the movie theater and still indulge your kids' popcorn cravings -- this extra-crunchy version (with some sweetness) will make them applaud right at home.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking sheet
10 cups plain unsalted popped (from 1/2 cup kernels or a 3.3-ounce bag microwave popcorn) popcorn
1 cup cashews, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
Coarse salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter a large rimmed baking sheet; set aside. Place popcorn in a large bowl; if using cashews, add to bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss.
  • Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes. Transfer hot popcorn to parchment-paper-lined baking sheet; let cool.

CLASSIC CARAMEL CORN



Classic Caramel Corn image

This recipe I really liked, but I found it a little sweet for my taste. However, I liked how much corn it covered. Reminded me a little of popcorn balls.

Provided by AmyZoe

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 16 cups, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

cooking spray, to taste (I used my butter wrapper insides instead)
4 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup or 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Spray large shallow roasting pan with cooking spray. I used my butter wrappers instead of spraying. Add popcorn and place in preheated 250 degree oven while preparing caramel.
  • Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, butter, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan. I skipped the salt because I was using salted popcorn, but your personal preference here. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Boil 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla and mix well.
  • Pour syrup over warm popcorn and stir evenly to coat.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and spread on foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray. (I skipped the cooking spray here too).
  • Cool and break apart. Store in tightly covered container. (I think the purpose of the tightly covered container is so you can't open and eat it as quickly).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165, Fat 6.1, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 15.2, Sodium 173.8, Carbohydrate 27.9, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 16.3, Protein 1.1

Tips:

  • Use fresh popcorn. Stale popcorn will not produce as good of a caramel coating.
  • Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved before adding the butter and corn syrup. Otherwise, the sugar will crystallize and the caramel will be grainy.
  • Cook the caramel over medium heat. If the heat is too high, the caramel will burn.
  • Stir the caramel constantly. This will help prevent the sugar from crystallizing and the caramel from burning.
  • Add the baking soda at the end of the cooking process. This will help to create a light and fluffy caramel.
  • Pour the caramel over the popcorn immediately after it is made. The caramel will harden as it cools, so it is important to work quickly.
  • Spread the popcorn out on a baking sheet or parchment paper to cool. This will help to prevent the popcorn from sticking together.

Conclusion:

Caramel corn is a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for parties, movie nights, or anytime you need a sweet snack. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a batch of caramel corn that is sure to please everyone. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, give caramel corn a try!

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