How to Make the Best Homemade Caramel Corn (No Bake)

The Best Homemade Caramel Corn recipe; crispy and crunchy, sweet and salty. A delicious homemade gift for family and friends.

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Good morning friends! My favorite part of Christmas, aside from being with family and friends, is baking and making homemade treats for family and friends. Yesterday I made 6 batches of the best homemade caramel corn for my gift baskets and boxes. It was so easy and delicious I thought you might want to make some too.

Homemade caramel popcorn is a great make-ahead recipe all year long but especially at the holidays. It makes a delicious holiday gift for or a great snack for family movie night.

Today I am joining my friend Sheri for our monthly series, “Sweet treats for your Sweet tooth.” Each month we will be sharing our favorite version of a sweet treat, everything from cookies, bars, cakes, puddings and more. If you don’t know Sheri she is a professional photographer and the writer of the Sheri Silver blog. Sheri is sharing Homemade Granola Butter, a scrumptious addition to your gift baskets.

The Best Homemade Caramel Corn

Years ago I made this caramel corn recipe, then I misplaced the recipe so I started making Amish caramel corn instead. A few weeks ago while sorting my Christmas recipes I found the “best” caramel corn recipe again and I have been making it ever since.

The best thing about this recipe is that you simply cook the ingredients on the stove and then pour it over the popcorn and that’s it.You don’t need to bake it in the oven for an hour like you do when making  Amish Caramel Corn. It is crisp and crunchy and delicious.

What You Need to Make Caramel Corn

This easy recipe uses just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

• 8 cups plain popped popcorn
• 2 cups almonds
• 1 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Pop 8 cups of popcorn using a popcorn maker or stovetop popcorn method, remove any unpopped kernels. Place the plain popcorn and nuts on a parchment paper lined 17 x 12 x 2″ cookie sheet. Keep popcorn and nuts warm in a 300 degree oven while making the caramel.
• For the caramel. Butter the sides of a medium 2 quart saucepan. In the saucepan combine the sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture boils.
• Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and reduce heat to medium. Continue boiling at a moderate to steady rate, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the candy thermometer reaches 280″F(soft crack stage). Be patient this seems like it takes a long time but it is only about 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Carefully pour caramel mixture over the popcorn and stir gently to coat.
• Spread hot caramel popcorn mixture on a large sheet of buttered aluminum foil or Silphat to cool.
• Quickly break into clusters with a fork and let harden and cool.

This caramel corn is crunchy, sweet, salty, nutty and delicious. It is the perfect treat to serve on holiday movie night, game night, or game day too.

Variation’s

• Pop popcorn with an air popper or stovetop popcorn method. Use microwave popcorn or purchased popcorn in place of homemade popcorn.
• Use any nuts that you like instead of the almonds, pecans and peanuts are a good alternative.
• Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle the chocolate over the sweet caramel corn.

How do you store caramel popcorn?

You can store caramel corn in an air-tight container.

I like to package this caramel corn in jars and tins which are available at Target or Amazon. Or you can fill cellophane party bags and tie them with ribbon.

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THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

I hope that you make this easy homemade caramel corn recipe, I think it may become a family favorite.

Do you have a favorite recipe that you make to gift to family and friends? If so, please share.

Don’t forget to hop over to visit Sheri and see her recipe for Granola Butter

Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me. Don’t forge to hang your stocking tonight for St.Nick!

You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!

This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Need More Holiday Gift Ideas?

Check out my Christmas Gift Guides with gifts for Him, Her, Foodies, Host/Hostess, Spa Gifts, Hot Chocolate Lovers and more. 

How to Make the Best Homemade Caramel Corn (No Bake)

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The Best Homemade Caramel Corn recipe; crispy and crunchy, sweet and salty. A delicious homemade gift for family and friends.

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 cups/servincs 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

8 cups plain popped popcorn

2 cups almonds

1 1/3 cup white sugar

1 cup butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Pop 8 cups of popcorn using a popcorn maker or stovetop popcorn method, remove any unpopped kernels. Place the plain popcorn and nuts on a parchment paper lined 17 x 12 x 2″ cookie sheet. Keep popcorn and nuts warm in a 300 degree oven while making the caramel.

For the caramel. Butter the sides of a medium 2 quart saucepan. In the saucepan combine the sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture boils.

Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and reduce heat to medium. Continue boiling at a moderate to steady rate, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the candy thermometer reaches 280″F(soft crack stage). Be patient this seems like it takes a long time but it is only about 15 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Carefully pour caramel mixture over the popcorn and stir gently to coat.

Spread hot caramel popcorn mixture on a large sheet of buttered aluminum foil or Silphat to cool.

Quickly break into clusters with a fork and let harden and cool.

• Author: Elizabeth
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 20
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stove-Top
• Cuisine: American

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