Description

Who can resist the delightful crunch and sweetness of homemade caramel corn? This classic treat is perfect for movie nights, parties, or simply indulging your sweet tooth. With its rich caramel flavor and optional nutty crunch, this recipe for Caramel Corn is sure to become a family favorite. Follow the simple steps below to create this irresistible snack.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Prepare the Popcorn

Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. Roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans work well.
Add the peanuts to the popped corn if you are using them. Set aside.

Make the Caramel Sauce

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend.
Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.

Coat the Popcorn

Remove the caramel mixture from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will become light and foamy.
Immediately pour the caramel over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don’t worry too much about getting all of the popcorn coated at this point.

Bake the Caramel Corn

Bake the coated popcorn for 1 hour, removing the pans every 15 minutes to give them a good stir.
Line your countertop with waxed paper.
Once the popcorn has finished baking, dump it out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces.
Allow the caramel corn to cool completely.

Store and Enjoy

Store the cooled caramel corn in airtight containers or resealable bags to maintain its freshness.
Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade caramel corn!

Notes

Serving Tips

Party Snack: Serve your caramel corn in large bowls or individual cups for easy snacking at parties or gatherings.
Gift Idea: Pack the caramel corn in decorative bags or jars and tie with a ribbon for a delightful homemade gift.
Movie Night: Pair your caramel corn with savory popcorn or other snacks for a perfect movie night treat.
Dessert Topping: Use caramel corn as a crunchy topping for ice cream sundaes or other desserts.
Mix-Ins: Add chocolate chips, pretzels, or dried fruit to the caramel corn for a fun and varied snack mix.

Storage Tips

Airtight Containers: Store the cooled caramel corn in airtight containers to keep it fresh and crunchy. Glass jars or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work well.
Resealable Bags: Use resealable plastic bags to store and portion out the caramel corn. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to maintain freshness.
Cool, Dry Place: Keep the containers or bags in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the caramel from becoming sticky.
Refrigeration: If you live in a humid climate, consider storing the caramel corn in the refrigerator to keep it from becoming too soft.
Shelf Life: Properly stored, caramel corn can last for up to 2 weeks. For the best texture and flavor, consume it within the first week.

Reheating Tips

Oven: If the caramel corn loses its crunch, you can reheat it in the oven. Spread the caramel corn on a baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let it cool completely before storing again.
Microwave: For a quick fix, spread a small amount of caramel corn on a microwave-safe plate and heat it for 20-30 seconds. Allow it to cool and crisp up before serving.

By following these serving and storage tips, you can enjoy your delicious caramel corn for days to come, keeping it fresh and crunchy with every bite.