Introduction:
This Baked Caramel Corn is a classic, irresistible snack that’s perfect for movie nights, gatherings, or just indulging your sweet tooth. Coated with a rich caramel sauce made from brown sugar, butter, and Karo syrup, this popcorn is baked to perfection, creating a crunchy, golden treat that’s both sweet and slightly salty. It’s easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup Karo syrup (light corn syrup)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Popped popcorn (enough to fill a large roasting pan)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Mixture
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, Karo syrup, and salt. Cook the mixture over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The caramel will become smooth and bubbly as it heats.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda
Once the caramel mixture has cooked for 5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. The mixture will foam slightly as the baking soda reacts with the caramel, making it easier to coat the popcorn evenly.
Step 3: Coat the Popcorn
Pour the caramel mixture over the popped popcorn in a large roasting pan. Stir gently, ensuring that all the popcorn is coated evenly with the caramel.
Step 4: Bake the Caramel Corn
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the roasting pan in the oven and bake the caramel corn for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure that the caramel evenly coats all the popcorn. This slow baking process gives the popcorn its signature crunch.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
After 1 hour, remove the caramel corn from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, the caramel corn will be crisp and ready to enjoy!
Cooking Note:
- For a fun twist, add some nuts (like almonds or pecans) to the popcorn before pouring the caramel mixture over it.
- Make sure to stir the popcorn every 15 minutes to avoid any clumps of caramel.
Serving Suggestions:
- This caramel corn makes a great snack for movie nights, game days, or holiday parties. Serve it in festive bowls for a seasonal touch.
- Package the cooled caramel corn in decorative bags or tins for a homemade gift idea!
Tips:
- Store any leftover caramel corn in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy for up to a week.
- If you prefer a darker, richer caramel flavor, you can increase the cooking time of the caramel mixture by 1-2 minutes.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour
Total Time:
1 hour 10 minutes
Servings:
8 servings
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Protein: 1g per serving
- Sodium: 120 mg per serving
Conclusion:
This Baked Caramel Corn is a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re snacking during a movie or gifting it to friends, this caramel corn is easy to make and full of rich, buttery flavor. Give it a try and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite!
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Baked Caramel Corn – A Sweet, Crunchy Treat!
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Description
This Baked Caramel Corn is a classic, irresistible snack that’s perfect for movie nights, gatherings, or just indulging your sweet tooth. Coated with a rich caramel sauce made from brown sugar, butter, and Karo syrup, this popcorn is baked to perfection, creating a crunchy, golden treat that’s both sweet and slightly salty. It’s easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup Karo syrup (light corn syrup)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Popped popcorn (enough to fill a large roasting pan)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Mixture
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, Karo syrup, and salt. Cook the mixture over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The caramel will become smooth and bubbly as it heats.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda
Once the caramel mixture has cooked for 5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. The mixture will foam slightly as the baking soda reacts with the caramel, making it easier to coat the popcorn evenly.
Step 3: Coat the Popcorn
Pour the caramel mixture over the popped popcorn in a large roasting pan. Stir gently, ensuring that all the popcorn is coated evenly with the caramel.
Step 4: Bake the Caramel Corn
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the roasting pan in the oven and bake the caramel corn for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure that the caramel evenly coats all the popcorn. This slow baking process gives the popcorn its signature crunch.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
After 1 hour, remove the caramel corn from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, the caramel corn will be crisp and ready to enjoy!
Notes
Cooking Note:
- For a fun twist, add some nuts (like almonds or pecans) to the popcorn before pouring the caramel mixture over it.
- Make sure to stir the popcorn every 15 minutes to avoid any clumps of caramel.
Serving Suggestions:
- This caramel corn makes a great snack for movie nights, game days, or holiday parties. Serve it in festive bowls for a seasonal touch.
- Package the cooled caramel corn in decorative bags or tins for a homemade gift idea!
Tips:
- Store any leftover caramel corn in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy for up to a week.
- If you prefer a darker, richer caramel flavor, you can increase the cooking time of the caramel mixture by 1-2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Protein: 1g