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bowl of homemade caramel popcorn on white table
Joanna

Viral Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe

5 from 2 votes
A quick and easy recipe for the most deliciously decadent caramel popcorn ever.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 1/2 cup servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 242

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag Microwave popcorn or 2 Tbsp. un-popped popcorn popped with another method, which equals 4 cups popped popcorn.
  • 1/2 cup salted butter 1 stick
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar light or dark
  • 10-12 marshmallows regular size

Equipment

Method
 

  1. Pop microwave popcorn according to manufacturers instructions, then set aside in a large bowl.
    1 bag Microwave popcorn
  2. If you don't use microwave popcorn, I suggest also buttering ( with 1/4-1/2 cup of butter) and salting your home popped popcorn for added flavor. You can adjust the amount of salt to your personal preference. 
  3. In a medium saucepan, completely melt butter 1/2 cup (1 stick) of salted butter, over low to medium heat.
    1/2 cup salted butter
  4. (Do not use high heat as you will make toffee instead of caramel.)
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar to the melted butter, continue to stir until fully combined and slightly bubbling.
    1/2 cup brown sugar
  6. Add 10-12 marshmallows into the caramel mixture, stir vigorously until fully incorporated and smooth.
    10-12 marshmallows
  7. Carefully pour warm caramel sauce over popped popcorn in the large bowl, stir to combine for the perfect texture and coating of smooth, soft caramel.
  8. Alternatively, you can spread the popped popcorn onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet/ cookie sheet and pour the caramel sauce over the spread out popcorn. 
  9. Serve and enjoy! Try not to eat the whole thing on your own, or do it anyway. I really won't judge. :)
  10. For storage or keeping any leftover homemade caramel corn, place it into an airtight container or food safe storage bag. Remove as much air as possible before closing.

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 1gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 374IUCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.3mg

Notes

Why is my caramel hard?
Your caramel may be hard if you heated the butter and brown sugar too high and too fast. Use low to medium heat (depending on your own stove top) and melt the butter slowly. Once you have added the brown sugar, stir very often till it has combined.
 
Can I double this recipe?
Yes you can double it! I often do a double batch and mix it in my 32 cup Tupperware thatsa bowl. Sometimes when I increase it, I do 3 bags of popcorn to just a double amount of the caramel sauce. It isn't as ooey gooey this way but still absolutely delicious.
 

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!