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You need 1 cup of popcorn kernels. This will make about 16 cups of popped popcorn. Choose a good brand for the best flavor. For the caramel, gather these items: - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 cup unsalted butter - 1/4 cup light corn syrup - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for finishing These ingredients work together to create a sweet and rich flavor. The butter adds creaminess, while the corn syrup gives it a nice shine. If you want to add more texture, include: - 1/2 cup roasted nuts (like almonds or peanuts) These nuts give a nice crunch and balance the sweetness. Feel free to mix and match your favorite nuts! {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, we need to pop the popcorn. You can use a popcorn maker or a pot on the stove. If you choose the stovetop, heat a bit of oil and put in the kernels. Cover it and wait for the fun popping sound! Once the kernels pop, take them out and put them in a large mixing bowl. Be careful to remove any unpopped kernels. This step ensures you have a perfect snack without any hard surprises. Now, let’s make the yummy caramel! In a medium saucepan, add one cup of granulated sugar, a quarter cup of unsalted butter, and a quarter cup of light corn syrup. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mix gently as it heats up. Once it starts to boil, stop stirring. Let it boil for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want it to turn a rich, golden color. After that, take it off the heat. Quickly stir in half a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda. Be careful! The mix will bubble up a lot! Next, we coat the popcorn with the caramel. Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn in your bowl. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix it well. Make sure every piece of popcorn gets a nice coating. Now, let's bake it for a crunchy finish. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the caramel-coated popcorn on the sheet in an even layer. Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This helps it crisp up evenly. When it’s done, take it out and sprinkle a little sea salt on top. Let it cool completely before breaking it into clusters. Enjoy your sweet and salty treat! To make the best popcorn, use fresh kernels. Old kernels may not pop well. You can use a popcorn maker or a pot on the stove. If using the stove, heat oil in a heavy pot first. Add the kernels and cover. Shake the pot often to prevent burning. Once the popping slows, take it off the heat. Be sure to check for unpopped kernels before mixing in your caramel. Making perfect caramel is key. Start with a medium saucepan. Add sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Stir until it boils, then stop stirring. Let it boil for about 4 to 5 minutes. Watch closely as it darkens to a rich golden color. Remove it from heat and add vanilla, baking soda, and sea salt. Be careful, as it will bubble up. This step adds a nice flavor and helps with texture. Store leftover popcorn in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and crunchy. If it goes soft, you can revive it. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Spread the popcorn on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes. This will help bring back the crunch. Enjoy your sweet and salty treat again! Pro Tips Use Fresh Kernels: For the best popping results, ensure your popcorn kernels are fresh. Old kernels may not pop well, resulting in a less fluffy snack. Control the Heat: When making the caramel, keep a close eye on the heat. If the mixture cooks too quickly, it can burn before reaching the perfect golden color. Mix in Nuts: Adding roasted nuts like almonds or peanuts can enhance the texture and flavor. Just fold them in after coating the popcorn with caramel. Storage Tips: To keep your caramel popcorn crunchy, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating, as moisture can make it soggy. {{image_4}} You can enhance your sweet and salty caramel popcorn with nuts. Nuts add crunch and flavor. I love using roasted almonds or peanuts. They give a nice contrast to the soft caramel. You can also try walnuts or cashews for a different taste. Just mix in about half a cup when you coat the popcorn. This will make your snack even more delightful! Flavorings can take your caramel popcorn to the next level. You can add cinnamon for warmth or cayenne pepper for a kick. Just a pinch will do! If you want a richer taste, consider adding a splash of maple syrup. You can also try almond extract instead of vanilla. Be creative with your spices to find your perfect mix! For a chocolatey twist, drizzle melted chocolate over your popcorn. Use dark, milk, or white chocolate based on your taste. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Then, use a spoon to drizzle it over the popcorn once it cools. Let the chocolate set before serving. This adds a lovely sweetness that pairs perfectly with the caramel. To keep your sweet and salty caramel popcorn fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps maintain its crispness and flavor. Avoid using plastic bags, as they can trap moisture. Instead, opt for glass jars or metal tins. If you have a lot, you can layer the popcorn with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and keeps it light. When stored properly, this caramel popcorn can last about one week. After a few days, it may lose some crunch. If you notice it getting soft, you can revitalize it by reheating. Just be sure to check for any signs of spoilage before enjoying. To bring back the crunch, spread the popcorn on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Heat it for about 10 minutes. This will help regain its original texture. Be sure to check it often to avoid burning. Once done, let it cool before snacking again. Enjoy your tasty treat! Yes, you can make Sweet and Salty Caramel Popcorn ahead of time. Store it in a sealed container. This keeps it fresh and crunchy. It lasts about one week. If you need longer storage, consider freezing it. Just remember to let it cool completely first. I recommend using high-quality yellow popcorn kernels. They pop big and fluffy. White popcorn kernels are also great. They are light and tender. Avoid microwave popcorn; it often has added flavors and oils that can change your caramel popcorn's taste. To reduce the sweetness, cut back on sugar. Try using three-quarters of a cup instead of one full cup. You can also add more sea salt. This will balance the flavors. Consider mixing in some unsalted nuts. They add texture and help tone down the sweetness. This blog post covered how to make sweet and salty caramel popcorn. We went through the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and essential tips. You learned different variations and the best storage methods. Making caramel popcorn is fun and easy. With practice, you can create amazing treats for any occasion. Enjoy your popcorn adventure!

Sweet and Salty Caramel Popcorn

A delightful blend of sweet caramel and salty popcorn, perfect for snacking.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup roasted nuts (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Pop the Popcorn: Using either a dedicated popcorn maker or the stovetop method, pop the popcorn kernels. Once done, transfer the popcorn into a large mixing bowl, diligently removing any unpopped kernels.
  • Prepare the Caramel: In a medium saucepan, set over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and light corn syrup. Stir the mixture occasionally as it heats. Once it reaches a boil, stop stirring and let it boil undisturbed for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture achieves a rich, deep golden hue.
  • Incorporate Flavorings: Once the caramel has reached the desired color, carefully remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the pure vanilla extract, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Take caution as the mixture will bubble up significantly!
  • Coat the Popcorn: Immediately pour the hot caramel sauce over the popped popcorn. Using a wooden spoon or a heat-resistant spatula, gently fold the popcorn and caramel together until each piece of popcorn is well-covered.
  • Bake for Ultimate Crunch: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the caramel-coated popcorn into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to promote even crisping.
  • Cool and Serve: After baking, remove the popcorn from the oven and sprinkle a dash of additional sea salt over the top while it's still warm. Allow the popcorn to cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking it into delightful clusters. If desired, incorporate the optional roasted nuts for an extra crunchy element.
  • Enjoy the Treat: Serve the caramel popcorn in a big bowl for sharing, or keep some stashed in a sealed container for a deliciously sweet and salty snack on-the-go!

Notes

Optional roasted nuts can be added for extra texture.
Keyword caramel, popcorn, salty, snack, sweet