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December 22, 2012 By Brandy 23 Comments

Home » Holidays » Christmas

Oven Baked Caramel Corn Recipe

Filed Under: Christmas, Dessert Recipes

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Hands down the BEST caramel popcorn recipe you will ever come across. After the buttery caramel is poured over the popcorn it is baked in the oven for an hour.

bowl of caramel corn

This has been our go to gift at Christmas time for 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.

bowl of caramel corn
It’s great for gifts and get-togethers. I’m getting ready to make a big batch to have on Christmas Eve this year.
Scroll to the bottom for some frequently asked questions about making homemade caramel popcorn.
butter popcorn kary syrup and baking soda

Oven Baked Caramel Popcorn

Adapted from: Paula Dean
Scroll down for printable version
6-8 quarts of popped popcorn (2 batches air popped)
1 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. light karo syrup
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
 Place popcorn into a roasting pan or large baking pan. Set aside.
caramel ingredients in pan
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.
caramel mixture in pan with wooden spoon
 Remove from heat and add baking soda. Stir.
caramel poured over popped popcorn
 Pour over popped corn and stir to coat evenly.
caramel corn
Bake at 200 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Pour out onto waxed paper and cool.
bowl of caramel corn

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!

How long will caramel popcorn last?

If kept in a air tight container it will last at least a month.

Can you make caramel popcorn with margarine?

No. For any caramel recipe you must use butter. For flavor and texture.

Why is my caramel mixture grainy?

A grainy texture could indicate that the sugar hasn’t been dissolved completely. Stir constantly and scrape the sides while cooking to make sure everything gets mixed.

Oven Baked Caramel Popcorn

The BEST baked caramel popcorn recipe ever. Crunchy, sweet, buttery and perfectly baked.
3.89 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 316kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 quarts of popped popcorn about 2 batches, air popped
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 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

Why do you need to use baking soda in this caramel popcorn recipe?
The baking soda reacts with the caramel to create a softer texture, even after baking. Making it easier to bite into!
How long will caramel popcorn last?
If kept in a air tight container it will last at least a month.
Can you make caramel popcorn with margarine?
No. For any caramel recipe you must use butter. For flavor and texture.
Why is my caramel mixture grainy?
A grainy texture could indicate that the sugar hasn't been dissolved completely. Stir constantly and scrape the sides while cooking to make sure everything gets mixed.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal

If you liked this caramel popcorn recipe you may also like…

marshmallow popcorn

Marshmallow Popcorn

Ooey gooey microwave marshmallow popcorn. Sweet, salty, and the perfect movie night treat! You can make this with air popped or microwave popcorn. Both are equally as delicious.

black and white caramel corn

Black and White Caramel Popcorn

Homemade caramel corn drizzled in white and dark chocolate. Easy to make and incredibly addicting! This recipe rivals any that you will find in the store because it is made FRESH!

cookies and cream popcorn

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

Cookies and Cream Hershey bars are melted and drizzled over popcorn for this sweet treat! Such a quick and easy recipe!

 

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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!

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Comments

  1. 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
  2. Olgun sohbet Odaları says

    January 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Naomi says

    July 9, 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
  6. Carolyn Clarke says

    November 4, 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 4, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      Sure thing! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  7. Christine mox says

    April 14, 2017 at 10:38 pm

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

    Reply
  8. 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
  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. 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
  11. 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

Trackbacks

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

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

    Reply

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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! Learn More About The Author

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