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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Candy

    The BEST Baked Caramel Popcorn Recipe (Video)

    November 3, 2021 By Brandy 34 Comments

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    Hands down the BEST baked caramel popcorn recipe you will find. Buttery caramel is poured over the popcorn and baked to perfection! This post was originally shared in 2012 and now includes a step by step video.

    You might also like our Zebra caramel corn (chocolate and white chocolate caramel corn) or our gooey marshmallow caramel corn made in the microwave!

    bowl of baked caramel popcorn

    Watch our step by step video!

    Homemade Caramel Corn

    Homemade English toffee and baked caramel corn have been our go to gifts during the holidays for over about 15 years. Forget making cookies, a bag of caramel popcorn is where it's at! I've tried microwaved versions, sticky caramel corn, etc. but nothing has been as good as this recipe. What family wouldn't want a bag of fresh baked caramel corn to snack on during a Christmas movie night?

    baking sheet with caramel corn

    The caramel coated popcorn is buttery, crunchy, and so delicious. I stumbled across it online back in 2006 on Paula Dean's website and quickly memorized it after making it SO many times. I love that it is a no-nonsense recipe. 6 ingredients, minimal prep work, made on the stovetop, and no candy thermometer!

    Here's what one reader said, "Used this recipe for my daughter’s wedding last fall. Made enough for 100 people, everyone raved about it. In fact right now I’m making some for my son’s wedding this weekend. It’s the only thing he insisted on. Plus he wants a little bin for himself after the wedding!"

    small bowl of baked caramel corn on kitchen table
    It's great for gifts and get-togethers. It stores well too. If kept in an airtight container or bag it will stay fresh at least a week. Ready to make a big batch? Let's get started!
    bottle of corn syrup, bowls of salt and baking soda, 2 sticks of butter and bowl of brown sugar

    Baked Homemade Caramel Popcorn Ingredients

    Adapted from: Paula Dean
    Scroll down for printable version
    • 6-8 quarts of popped popcorn (about ⅔ cup unpopped kernels, popped)*
    • 1 cup butter
    • 2 cups brown sugar
    • ½ cup light corn syrup
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda

    *You can also use microwave popcorn. If you go this route, use a homestyle one that doesn't have a lot of butter and salt already on it.

    hand picking up piece of caramel corn

    Instructions

    Pop popcorn kernels in air popper.

    Pour popped popcorn into a large roasting pan or baking pan (you just need a pan large enough to stir the popcorn and caramel without it spilling out onto your table). Set aside.
    saucepan with butter, brown sugar, salt and corn syrup
    Melt butter, sugar, salt and corn syrup in a medium saucepan, and heat over medium heat to medium-high heat. When bubbly, set timer for 5 minutes and boil, stirring constantly.
    boiling caramel sauce in pan
    Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in baking soda.
    caramel corn in roasting pan
    Pour caramel over popped corn and stir to coat evenly.
    Note: If you want to add mix-ins, now is the time (peanuts, etc.)
    Now we're going to bake it low and slow.
    Bake caramel corn at 200 degrees (F), stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Pour out onto waxed paper or parchment paper-lined baking sheets and cool.
    baked caramel popcorn in white bowl
    Fill up your favorite popcorn bowl and start snacking!

    Why do you need to use baking soda in this recipe?

    The baking soda reacts with the caramel to create a softer texture, even after baking. Making it easier to bite into!

    Can you make caramel popcorn with margarine?

    No. For any caramel recipe you must use butter. For flavor and texture.
    baking sheet with caramel corn

    Baked Caramel Corn Recipe

    baking sheet with caramel corn

    Perfect Baked Caramel Popcorn

    Hands down the BEST baked caramel popcorn recipe you will find. Buttery caramel is poured over the popcorn and baked to perfection!
    3.97 from 33 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 316kcal

    Ingredients

    • 8 quarts of popped popcorn about ⅔ cup unpopped kernels, popped
    • 1 cup butter
    • 2 cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup light karo syrup
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda

    Instructions

    • Place popcorn into a roasting pan or large baking pan. Set aside.
    • Combine butter, sugar, salt and karo syrup in a medium sauce pan and heat over med-high heat. When bubbly, set timer for 5 minutes and boil, stirring constantly.
    • Remove from heat and add baking soda. Stir.
    • Pour over popped corn and stir to coat evenly.
    • Bake at 200 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Pour out onto waxed paper and cool.

    Notes

    Store popcorn in an airtight container to keep fresh.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 316kcal
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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    Comments

    1. Amanda says

      December 24, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      This is similar to my grandmother's recipe. Her recipe also has 1 tsp of Vanilla that you add with the baking soda and is baked at 250. I have made it with both butter and margarine, both work fine. The margarine makes it soak into the popcorn a bit more than the butter but no appreciable difference. I have a friend's mother that is allergic to dairy so I always make hers with margarine and nobody else can tell which batch I gave them.

      Reply
    2. Belinda says

      November 15, 2022 at 4:26 pm

      I’d like to make this with plain skinnypop popcorn I bought at Costco! Could you give me a rough idea how many cups of made popcorn for this recipe? Thanks!!!!

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        November 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm

        6-8 quarts. I’m not sure exactly how many cups of popped popcorn that would be. 24 would probably work.

        Reply
    3. Barbara Cohen says

      August 28, 2022 at 1:22 pm

      My husband grew up in Argentina. They sell popped corn with orange marmalade. Wonder if I could substitute marmalade for less corn syrup and sugar--heat, add baking soda????????

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        August 28, 2022 at 5:44 pm

        That sounds interesting and worth a shot!

        Reply
    4. Anna says

      January 17, 2022 at 7:31 am

      Do you use light brown sugar or dark?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        January 17, 2022 at 7:47 pm

        Hi! I use light.

        Reply
    5. CC says

      December 06, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      I finally tried this baked caramel popcorn. I wonder if my mixture, though I set the timer for 5 minutes, was overcooked. It was dark and didn't easily coat each kernel as in the picture of yours. The caramel is super stuck to the pot I cooked it in. I was surprised no one else had this issue, by reading the comments.
      It does taste good though, for which I am grateful. I also sprayed my cookie sheet with nonstick spray because having never made before, with my luck it would stick like crazy. But I don't think it needed to be sprayed.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        December 06, 2021 at 10:51 pm

        Hi CC! It definitely sounds like it was cooked too long or on too high of heat. Every stove cooks differently. Maybe drop it down a bit next time once it begins to boil to med-low? I'm glad it still tasted good for you! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Heather says

      November 27, 2021 at 8:18 pm

      3 stars
      I found the recipe had too much butter and too much baking soda.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        November 28, 2021 at 8:58 am

        1 cup butter and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Is that what you used? That’s pretty standard for caramel popcorn—-sorry you didn’t like it.

        Reply
    7. Debbie says

      November 27, 2019 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE this recipe! It's easy enough for me to be able to make it! I think I'll give this Popcorn as neighbor gifts. Thanks for sharing! Will definitely use this recipe again!

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        November 27, 2019 at 9:51 pm

        Awesome! When you find a good one there's no point trying any others!

        Reply
    8. Brandy Gerace says

      June 19, 2019 at 3:48 pm

      Used this recipe for my daughter's wedding last fall. Made enough for 100 people, everyone raved about it. I just dumped the popcorn after it cooled and dried into large clear Rubbermaid storage bins and placed large 16oz red solo cups for people to scoop up a cupful. I've never baked caramel corn before but it was the right thing to do, it turned out to be 93° and crazy humid. The caramel melted off the apples we made but the popcorn stayed perfect. In fact right now I'm making some for my son's wedding this weekend. It's the only thing he insisted on. Plus he wants a little bin for himself after the wedding. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        June 19, 2019 at 3:51 pm

        That is awesome, and what a great idea to serve it at a wedding! It really is such a great recipe, our favorite!

        Reply
    9. SB says

      November 14, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      Salted or unsalted butter?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        November 15, 2017 at 11:16 am

        I use salted!

        Reply
        • Sb says

          November 15, 2017 at 6:35 pm

          Thanks so much

          Reply
    10. Heather M. Whipple says

      October 30, 2017 at 2:14 pm

      This looks really good and I will definitely be trying this out. Will be pinning this on my Pinterest autumn board.

      Reply
    11. Christine mox says

      April 14, 2017 at 10:38 pm

      Tried quiet a few recipes....this one the best!!! Hands down!!!

      Reply
    12. Carolyn Clarke says

      November 04, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Delious. Made caramel for Halloween and put corn in Halloween bags. Everyone loved it. Thanks for posting recipe

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        November 04, 2015 at 4:28 pm

        Sure thing! Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    13. Naomi says

      July 09, 2014 at 5:39 am

      My grandfather passed down a very similar recipe. I agree this is the best! It also keeps very well in the freezer - I often put it in a ziplock and just take out handfuls when we want them.

      Reply
    14. Nicole says

      April 25, 2014 at 11:11 am

      How many days before the event can I make the popcorn? Will it still be fresh if I make it a week before the event?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        April 25, 2014 at 3:21 pm

        Hi Nicole! I've kept it in a storage container for up to 5 days and it was fine. I haven't tried it longer than that. Good luck! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Cindy Lee says

      February 17, 2013 at 12:43 am

      Thanks so much! I'm using this for my Movie Party with my girls at my house but I was wondering how much popcorn this would make?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        February 17, 2013 at 5:24 am

        Hi Cindy!

        It should make about 8 quarts. So I'd say it would serve 6-8 people. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    16. Olgun sohbet Odaları says

      January 08, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Reply
    17. dkzody says

      December 24, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      I make a similar version but w/o baking soda or salt. Nor do I bake it after mixing in the caramel which I have cooked in the microwave. Easier and quicker to the good stuff.

      Reply
      • Kathy Riggs says

        October 16, 2015 at 1:35 pm

        I wondered how it would be if I did not bake it. It always gets to dry, I will try just spreading it out after I pour on the caramel.

        Reply
        • Brandy says

          October 16, 2015 at 2:10 pm

          I haven't tried that before, but I would think it would be equally as delicious! 🙂

          Reply
      • Heather M. Whipple says

        October 30, 2017 at 2:12 pm

        No thank you dkzody I will take the labor of love over microwave any day.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Black & White Caramel Popcorn | Gluesticks says:
      January 10, 2017 at 8:55 am

      […] Paula Deen’s Caramel Corn Recipe […]

      Reply
    2. Quick Caramel Popcorn {Made in the Microwave!} says:
      September 24, 2013 at 12:16 pm

      […] So when we recommend a recipe, you know it’s a tried and true one.  I absolutely love the caramel corn recipe that we use (It’s from Paula Deen!), but it takes an hour to bake in the oven. Well worth the […]

      Reply
    3.97 from 33 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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