I absolutely drool over the tantalizing smell of freshly popped corn wafting from my kitchen and filling the entire house. Add the sugary richness of caramel, and you’ve got the ideal any-time-of-the-day treat. But my favorite time to indulge in this sweet snack is when I’m binging on Netflix or chilling with my family on movie night. And I don’t even mind all the crunching going on. After all, this caramel popcorn recipe just brings the cinematic experience right into my living room.

Recipe Ingredients

How to Make Caramel Popcorn

Heat the Oil – Put the pot and oil on medium heat. Make sure it gets very hot before adding the kernels. (Photo 1)Add the Kernels – Put a lid on the pot to ensure no kernels escape. As the popping slows down, shake the pot to make sure the popcorn on the bottom doesn’t burn. Pour it into a bowl and set aside. (Photo 2)The Caramel – Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Let it come to a boil, then allow it to simmer for 4 minutes—do not stir. Remove from the heat. (Photos 5-7)Add Remaining Ingredients – Add the vanilla and baking soda by whisking them into the mixture. Allow the caramel to foam. (Photo 8-9)Combine – Pour your caramel mixture over the popcorn, tossing until the caramel cools and starts to harden. (Photos 10-11)Bake – Spread caramel-coated popcorn on a baking tray and bake for 40 minutes, carefully tossing it every 10 minutes to evenly distribute the caramel over the popcorn. (Photo 12)Enjoy – Remove it from the oven and allow this deliciousness to cool.

Recipe Variations

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can make your homemade popcorn a day or two ahead of time and store it in an airtight container until it’s time to melt some delicious caramel over it.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Fresh, homemade caramel popcorn is the best right after it cools. But you can store it at room temperature in a sealable container for two weeks. 

What to Serve with Caramel Popcorn

This deliciousness goes fabulously with apple cider, mai tais, and pumpkin spice latte. It’s also the perfect addition to a charcuterie board. Yay!

More Sweet Movie-Night Treats to Try

Conclusion

Once you’ve got this recipe for caramel popcorn down, you’ll enjoy this super easy American classic time and time again. Why not try it for your next movie night? Oh, and let me know how it goes in the comments below.😍

Watch How to Make It

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