Caramel Corn

Total Time Prep: 15 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling
Yield about 5-1/2 quarts
Test Kitchen Approved
Learning how to make a caramel corn recipe is surprisingly easy! Follow our step-by-step guide for perfect kernels.

Ingredients

  • 6 quarts popped popcorn
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

  1. Place popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda; mix well. Pour over popcorn and stir until well coated. Pour into 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans.
  3. Bake, uncovered, at 250° for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely. Store in airtight containers.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 230 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 343mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

My guests say they can't stop eating my caramel corn! For our basketball party I fix enough to fill a big red tin with our team's logo. The delectable syrup coats the popcorn well but isn't sticky. —Sharon Landeen, Tucson, Arizona
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC