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Homemade Caramel Corn

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Better than store bought. It's sweet, crunchy and addicting. If you want to sprinkle with a little bit of flaked salt afterwards, then that would make it dreamy. This makes a lot so package it up in small bags to pack in school lunches, give to neighbors or stash in you bedside table for late night munchies.
Course Appetizers & Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword caramel, homemade, maple, popcorn, snack, treat
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 20 servings
Calories 209
Author Laurie McNamara

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white popcorn kernels
  • 2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup can be swapped for 1/4 cup of maple syrup instead
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanuts (optional) more or less

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 250°and line two rimmed baking sheets with a silicone baking mats OR grease with butter.
  • Work in batches of 2, pop the corn and place into a large paper bag. Set off to the side. An air popper works great here!
  • In a medium pot, combine the sugar, butter, maple and corn syrup.
  • Bring to a slow boil for 5 minutes without stirring.
  • Once the 5 minutes are up, remove the pan off of the heat and whisk in the baking soda, salt and vanilla.
  • Carefully pour the caramel into the bag with the pop corn. Roll the top of the bag tightly, leaving room, and shake to coat the popcorn.
  • Once coated, divide the caramel covered popcorn onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake in your preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring the caramel corn every 20 minutes.
  • Note: if you want to add peanuts into the mix; add half if the caramel to the popcorn in the bag and give it a good shake. Add in 1/2 cup (more or less) of peanuts or pecans and toss together before adding the remaining caramel.

Nutrition

Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 284IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg