Oven-Baked Caramel Corn: This homemade caramel popcorn recipe is SO much better than store-bought. It’s crispy, sweet, buttery perfection!
Each Christmas season, my friend and co-worker Ann would gift a big bowl of her Oven-Baked Caramel Corn to our office. It was most definitely the best caramel popcorn I had ever experienced. I never found so many excuses to visit the kitchenette, to replenish the snack supply at my desk!
Now, nearly 20 years after my first bite of Ann’s homemade caramel corn, I can still say it’s the best I’ve ever had.
Go on. Treat yourself. Treat your friends (because this makes a FABULOUS gift). Make a batch of this caramel corn!
“Truly THE best caramel corn that I have ever tasted. SO delicious and perfectly crisp and extremely addictive. I’m going to be making this over and over again”
Paula
The best caramel corn
I don’t know exactly what it is about this caramel corn recipe, but it’s perfection. The caramel glaze is not too thick, not too thin. It’s crispy and has a wonderful buttery flavor. Better than any store-bought version I’ve tried.
But I will give you one warning.
Do not eat one single piece of this caramel corn – unless you are prepared to indulge in a whole lot more. It is the highest level of addictive!
It’s really in your best interest to make this when you are expecting company. Or when you’re planning to share it with others at the office. Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to do away with this all on your own.
How to make caramel popcorn
This caramel popcorn recipe is an easy one, leaving you with a nice big batch in about an hour’s time.
All you need are six ingredients:
- popped corn – Our family makes popcorn two to three times a week using this stovetop popper. These are our favorite popcorn kernels. Not only do I like the texture, but I love that it’s white – so pretty with the caramel!
- butter
- brown sugar
- light corn syrup
- salt
- baking soda
Spread the popped corn onto two large rimmed pans and keep it warm and crisp in a 250° F oven.
In a saucepan on the stovetop, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring it to a boil. When the temperature reaches 248° F, also called firm ball stage, remove pan from the heat. This only takes about 5 minutes.
Stir in the baking soda. I know this might sound like an odd ingredient, but it’s really so neat.
Why use baking soda?
The baking soda reacts with the acid in the brown sugar and corn syrup, creating a chemical reaction of tiny carbon dioxide air bubbles. It will cause the caramel mixture to foam and turn lighter in color. These bubbles aerate the caramel, making it smoother and easier to coat the popcorn, while also preventing the caramel from becoming rock-hard once it cools.
Remove warm popcorn from the oven and drizzle the hot caramel mixture over the top. Fold to coat as evenly as you can. Don’t fret if it’s not coated quite as well as you’d like, as you’ll fold the caramel corn 3 more times before it’s finished baking.
Place the caramel corn back into the oven and bake for 45 minutes, folding every 15 minutes.
Done!
You are now the proud maker of the best caramel corn on earth!
It’s absolutely not possible for me to snitch a few pieces, hot from the oven. I’ve burnt my tongue many times, too impatient to wait.
This homemade treat makes a great gift!
So many people appreciate really great caramel corn. That’s why I think it’s one of the best edible food gifts, especially during the holidays.
This year I used these swell little baking cups to hold the homemade caramel corn. A friend gave them to me, and I just love them! You can find a good variety of these cups here.
I like to fill the cups with caramel corn and add them to treats platters. Or slip them into a small clear food bag, twist the bag top, and tie on some ribbon. It makes a beautiful little homemade gift.
Here are a few more recipes, great for gifting! Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies and Oreo Truffle Balls are no-bake treats that are ALWAYS a hit. Nobody can resist this buttery Toffee that tastes like a Heath bar, or homemade Peanut Butter Cups. And you just gotta have some roasted nuts at Christmastime – Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts and these Spiced Nuts are my absolute favorites!
Like this recipe? Save it to Pinterest!
Oven-Baked Caramel Corn
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 quarts popped corn – I like to use these white popcorn kernels – I think the white popped corn is prettier and I like the texture better
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250° F.
- Spread freshly popped corn (we use this stovetop popper) onto two large rimmed pans. Place in the oven to keep popcorn warm and crisp.
- In a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir every now and then, dissolving the sugar. Bring mixture to a boil and cook until it reaches the firm ball stage of 248° F, using a candy thermometer. This should take about 5 minutes or so.
- Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Caramel mixture will foam.
- Remove popped corn from oven and pour hot caramel mixture over it, in a fine stream. Fold to mix well. Return pans to oven for 45 minutes, stirring and scraping up caramel from bottom of pans every 15 minutes. Remove pans from oven to a cooling rack. Once caramel corn is cool enough to handle, and not yet hardened, break up any large clumps using your fingers. Then let caramel corn cool completely. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
For an extra special treat, especially during the holidays, I like to add a drizzle of dark chocolate. When I gift a beribboned bag of this chocolate adorned caramel corn, the only complaint I hear is that there wasn’t enough.
This post was previously published in 2010. Photographs and text were updated in 2019.
Just made a batch a few days ago. Glad I gave most of it away because I can’t keep my hands out of it. Yummy!
I also add crisp bacon to the caramel corn for the saltiness. Also homemade Kahlua is awesome as I make it early in the year then when Holidays come I pour into empty kleen root beer bottles with a tag saying Have a Merry Xmas in a GIFT BASKET. How fun is this?????????? Love your recipes they are awesome. TKS
Can’t wait to make this!! I was wondering why you mix chocolate and chocolate bark? I haven’t used the bark before.
ohgoodgolly this looks sooooo good…perfect treat for the game day crowd! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
can you tell me what is corn syrup?
Can i buy it in the UK or similar??
Hello, Trish! Corn syrup is used as a sweetener and thickener, and helps prevent sugar crystallization. I’m not sure whether it’s available in the UK, but I did find a link for a homemade substitute that had good reviews: http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-corn-syrup-substitute-simple-syrup-74080/review – hope that helps!
I made this the other day and it was FABULOUS! I split it into two batches, one plain and one with chocolate — let me tell you, the chocolate is a must! Everyone raved over both batches, but all agreed that the chocolate made it that much better. I’ll definitely be making these as my Christmas Treat for neighbors. How cute will it be wrapped up in a bag with bow — perfect!
Hello Laura – thanks for visiting, it’s great to know more MN bloggers. It seems as though you might like this caramel corn as much as I do!!
Oh my gosh ~ I just found your blog & can not seem to leave even though I need to get back to work :) This looks just like the Harry & David Moose Munch that I love, love, love! Can not wait to make this!
Hello Lynda – I’m so glad you found me! I’d love to know what you think of the caramel corn.
Chocolate on caramel corn–of course! It seems perfectly obvious, now. I’ll be trying that for sure! I like to gift homemade truffles or biscotti for Christmas. I have also given homemade Kaluhua. A good friend of mine gifts her homemade Bailey’s every year. I love receiving from the heart gifts!
Hi Kirsten! Truffles are my ultimate treat!! Now you know what I’ll be craving all day long. Homemade Kahlua & Bailey’s? That sounds fantastic. I know I have an article saved about making that, it’s very intriguing to me. Thank you so much for sharing!
Caramel Corn is part of our food group during the holiday season. But I’ll have to do it with the chocolate. It looks wonderful.
Thank you Sylvie! Homemade caramel corn is always a special treat, but the chocolate drizzle really amps up the flavor & fun!
Looks delish! I printed and hope to make this next weekend. I stumbled the post, hope it brings you a few more visitors. ;-)
Thank you Amanda!!
Wow! I love your blog. Your pictures of food are sooooo beautiful. I love all the backgrounds you’ve chosen to display your goodies!
I’m visiting from Mingle Monday!
Blessings
Rachymommy – MommyTopics.com
Thanks for mingling! And for your lovely compliments.
This is a wonderful Christmas gift to give. Yours looks delicious and the fact that it’s baked in the oven just means that the calories in the chocolate has been fully reduced right?!
That’s exactly right, Paula!
I use a similar recipe, only I make mine in the microwave (super easy, I know). I *love* to make it gourmet… last year I even smashed candy canes on top of melted chocolate chips!
{Stopping by to say “hi” from Monday Mingle.}
Thanks for mingling! Hmmmm…will have to try the candy cane thing…
This is just what I was hoping for! I am starting to plan the holiday gift giving…and this will be perfect! Thanks so much for the great idea! Keep ’em coming!
Will do – thanks Sara!
What a treat! I just love that you are going to be offering us even more treats that can be offered as gifts for the holidays…happiness!!!
Thanks Avril – stay tuned!
sounds amazing~~mmmmmmmmm!!! i will make this when i am ready to gain about 20lbs!!!!LOL!!!
I’m always looking for homemade gifts to give, as I love gifts with a personal touch. I think I just found what I’m taking my office holiday party!
Hello – thanks for stopping by, and enjoy that caramel corn!
Oh. my. This looks really yummy! I’m just wondering how you can ever give any away?!
Hello Melinda – thanks for visiting! The secret to having enough to give away is simply to make a double batch. :-)
I LOVE the addition of chocolate to caramel corn! How gorgeous!
Hope you are having a great Mingle Monday! Talk to you soon!
Thanks, Robyn. Just can’t beat that caramel and chocolate together!
I am bookmarking this recipe! I have not given gifts like this, because of poor planning. But, this year look so forward to doing so. GREAT idea! Have a super start to your week.
Thanks again, Kim. Have fun with gifting this year!
I have been making this popcorn for many years now. I make several batches around the the holidays because everyone loves it. I got my recipe off of the karo syrup bottle. I think this is the best popcorn ever. Way better then the “popcorn factory.”