Soft Caramel Popcorn

This Soft Caramel Popcorn is a family favorite, with popcorn coated with a soft and sticky caramel mixture. This recipe keeps the popcorn soft and is perfect for movie nights or snacking.

For another favorite caramel recipe, try these Caramel Rice Krispie Treats!

This soft caramel corn was first made famous by an old roommate, Dawn. This was her specialty. And then when we moved apart, she graciously gave me the recipe. And I became known for my caramel popcorn

We love my traditional baked caramel popcorn, but there is just seomthign about this softer version that really gets me. Maybe it is the nostalgia associated with it, but this is the perfect snacking popcorn. Perfect for game night or movie night, or just for snack time!

Ingredients

• Butter: I use unsalted butter, then add in a bit of salt later. You can use salted butter, and then omit the additional salt, or just add a little less.
• Sugar: You need both brown sugar and granulated sugar. The mixture of sugars helps to keep the popcorn soft.
• Corn Syrup: You want to use light corn syrup.
• Baking Soda: This will help to make a smoother caramel that will cover the popcorn well.
• Salt: I like a little salt to balance the sweet.
• Popcorn: If you are using microwave popcorn, you will need about 2 regular bags. If using an air popper, you will need about 3/4 cup of kernels. These amounts can change with different brands and types of popcorn. It is also hard to measure popped popcorn, so an estimated amount should work!

How to Make Soft Caramel Popcorn

STEP 1: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

STEP 2: Add in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and corn syrup. Stir this all together. You want to keep the heat low enough so that you can cook it for a few minutes before it boils, to give the sugar time to dissolve.

STEP 3: Once it comes to a boil, set a timer for 1 minute and let it boil. Be aware that if you boil it longer, your caramel won’t set up as soft and gooey.

STEP 4: Remove the pot from the oven and stir in the baking soda and the salt. The baking soda will make it bubble up and get foamy – this is what it’s supposed to do!

STEP 5: Pour the caramel over the popcorn. I like to use a really large metal bowl, but if you don’t have a bowl big enough, use two smaller bowls.

STEP 6: Use a spatula to stir everything together. Do not touch the caramel until it has had a few minutes to cool down.

Tips and Tricks

Keep in mind that if you are using microwave popcorn, or popcorn made in a Whirley Pop, it will most likely have additional butter or salt, and that will contribute to the final flavor. I like to use air popped popcorn.

Store this popcorn at room temperature. I just leave it out in a bow and it firms up a bit and isn’t quite as sticky the next day, but it’s still soft.

Be careful when making the caramel and adding it to the popcorn. The caramel is hot and will burn if you touch it.

More Popcorn Recipes

Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn
Peanut Butter Popcorn
Muddy Buddy Popcorn

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Soft Caramel Popcorn

5 from 1 vote

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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This Soft Caramel Popcorn is a family favorite, with popcorn coated with a soft and sticky caramel mixture. This recipe keeps the popcorn soft and is perfect for movie nights or snacking!

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup butter
• ▢ 1 cup light brown sugar
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1/2 cup corn syrup
• ▢ 20-24 cups popped popcorn
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Place the butter in a medium to large saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until melted.
• Once melted, add the brown sugar, the granulated sugar, and the corn syrup. Stir until it comes to a boil. (You don’t want it to come to a boil too quickly, though. You want to give it enough time to dissolve the sugar.) Once boiling, let it boil for 1 minute.
• While you are making the caramel, place the popcorn in a very large bowl.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda and the salt. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and stir until coated. (Be careful to not touch the caramel at this point – it is hot!)
• Let the popcorn cool for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes:

Recipe from my old roommate Dawn

If you are using microwave popcorn, you will need about 2 regular bags. If using an air popper, you will need about 3/4 cup of kernels. These amounts can change with different brands and types of popcorn. It is also hard to measure popped popcorn, so an estimated amount should work!

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 222kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 34g (11%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 10g (15%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 24mg (8%), Sodium: 42mg (2%), Potassium: 48mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 27g (30%)

Keywords: baked caramel popcorn, caramel corn