Craving a sweet and crunchy snack? Look no further than our Easy Homemade Caramel Corn recipe! Made with simple ingredients like popcorn, brown sugar, and butter, this addictive treat is perfect for movie nights, parties, or anytime you need a delicious snack.

Sweet and Crunchy Delight: Easy Homemade Caramel Corn
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 7 quarts plain popped popcorn
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup margarine
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How To Make It:
1. Prepare the Popcorn:
- Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You can use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. If desired, add the peanuts to the popped corn. Set aside.
2. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
3. Make the Caramel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it begins to boil, continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Add Baking Soda and Vanilla:
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will become light and foamy.
5. Coat the Popcorn:
- Immediately pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn in the pans, stirring to coat. Don’t worry if not all the popcorn is evenly coated at this stage.
6. Bake and Stir:
- Bake the caramel corn for 1 hour, removing the pans every 15 minutes to give them a good stir. This ensures that the caramel coats the popcorn evenly.
7. Cool and Store:
- Once baked, line the countertop with waxed paper and dump the caramel corn onto it. Separate the pieces and allow them to cool completely. Store the cooled caramel corn in airtight containers or resealable bags.
FAQs:
1. Can I omit the peanuts from the recipe?
- Yes, the peanuts are optional. Feel free to leave them out if you prefer plain caramel corn.
2. Can I use butter instead of margarine?
- Yes, you can substitute butter for margarine in this recipe for a richer flavor.
3. How long does the caramel corn stay fresh?
- When stored in an airtight container, homemade caramel corn can stay fresh for up to two weeks.
4. Can I use microwave popcorn instead of popping my own?
- While it’s possible to use microwave popcorn, plain popped popcorn works best for this recipe as it allows you to control the flavor.
5. Can I add other mix-ins like chocolate chips or pretzels?
- Absolutely! Get creative and add your favorite mix-ins to customize your caramel corn.
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