Caramel Corn

Get ready for the most irresistible homemade caramel corn you’ve ever tasted! This isn’t your ordinary movie theater snack – it’s a perfectly crispy, buttery, caramel-coated treat that’ll have everyone begging for the recipe.

What makes this caramel corn so special is the perfect balance of sweet and salty, plus that satisfying crunch that keeps you coming back for more. The homemade caramel sauce creates a delicate coating that’s never sticky or tough – just pure, crispy perfection.

Ingredients

• 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 6-8 cups popped plain popcorn

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 250°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a medium pot over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth.
3. Add vanilla extract and baking soda, stirring until mixture becomes foamy.
4. Pour the caramel mixture over popcorn and stir thoroughly to coat every kernel.
5. Spread coated popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.
7. Cool completely, then break apart any clusters and store in an airtight container.

Smart Swaps

• Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar (1:1 ratio) for a lower glycemic option
• Try air-popped popcorn instead of microwave for fewer additives

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace brown sugar with Swerve Brown (1:1 ratio) – reduces carbs by 24g per serving
• Use allulose-based caramel sauce (2/3 cup) instead of corn syrup mixture
• Portion into 1-cup servings (12g net carbs per serving)
• Pair with a handful of nuts to slow sugar absorption
• Consider adding 1/2 tsp cinnamon to help regulate blood sugar

Pro Tips

• Use fresh popcorn – old kernels won’t pop as well
• Keep stirring while coating to prevent clumping
• Store with a silica gel packet to maintain crispness
• Let cool completely before storing to prevent sogginess