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I was really excited to see that today is National Caramel Corn Day! We actually now have TWO yummy and easy homemade caramel corn recipes that we use in our house. They’re almost identical though so which one we use just depends on exactly how we want to cook the caramel that day.
I never realized how easy it is to make caramel corn at home until I met Eric. When he told me all about his mom’s recipe for caramel corn, I knew I had to give it a try.
Caramel corn has always been a special treat that we would have to purchase from a fancy or out of the ordinary place. But not anymore! Gone are the days where I have to take a trip to a big city to find a specialty store or go to a carnival for this caramel treat. Now I can just go right to my kitchen!
The caramel in this homemade caramel corn recipe is made in the microwave. And by using microwave popcorn as well, this becomes a no-stove recipe. Perfect for hot days when you want something sweet but don’t want to heat up the house or stand in front of an open flame.
Easy Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe
Notes
**Be sure to not touch the hot caramel when it comes out of the microwave. It can cause some serious burns. **All microwave work differently. The time amounts listed here can vary depending upon individual microwaves. Always be sure to keep an eye on your creation as it cooks!
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped microwave popcorn
- 1/3 cup butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a 4 qt microwave-safe glass bowl, microwave the butter on HIGH until melted, about 45 seconds.
- Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup.
- Microwave 1 to 3 minutes on HIGH until the mixture boils, stopping once to stir. Microwave again for 3 minutes on HIGH.
- Mix in baking soda and vanilla.
- Add the popped popcorn and mix well. Microwave on 70% power for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir. Microwave again for 1 minute on 70% power. Remove and stir again to coat the popcorn evenly.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the coated popcorn onto the baking sheet and allow to cool completely.
- Break the caramel corn up into smaller clusters.
- Store in an airtight container.
This easy homemade caramel corn recipe is awesome for entertaining too! It makes about 2.5 quarts so that’s quite a bit, but if you’re having people over, that can go quickly. So feel free to double the recipe or make a second batch. And don’t forget to check out this post full of party recipe ideas and this one for the best lemon bars you will ever taste to serve at your get together!
Want to try this, but you don’t trust yourself with a whole batch? I totally get that… Keep a little, and package up the rest to give away! Make up a gift basket or grab some cute little snack holders, and make your friends very happy.
Tools Used In This Recipe:
- OXO Good Grips 4.5 Qt Glass Bowl
- StarPack Basics Silicone Spatula Set – Heat resistant to 480 degrees
- Nordicware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baking Sheet
- OXO Steel POP Container – 2.4qt
3 Comments
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I’m no chef by any means but this recipe is so nicely laid out and too tempting to pass up! Thank you for sharing, I shall have to have a go! ?
Thanks! It really is a simple recipe, and it’s delicious. I hope you like it!