• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Weekly Menu Plans
  • Cookies

5 Boys Baker

Desserts, Dinner and Food You'll Love!

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookies
  • 12 Days of Sugar
  • Weekly Menu Plans
  • About
You are here: Home / 12 Days of Sugar / Caramel Popcorn {12 Days of Sugar – Day 11}

Caramel Popcorn {12 Days of Sugar – Day 11}

Yum

December 11, 2017 by Jodi + 7 Comments

This Caramel Popcorn has been a family favorite since I was a kid. It’s gooey, soft and ridiculously good. It’s super simple to make and is always a great gift to give.

I can’t believe we’re on day 11 of this sugar frenzy. Holy cow this one has has flown by. Where have the last 11 days gone? I’ve got nothing done for Christmas, probably because I’ve been up to my eyeballs in sugar (lol!), so it’s probably a good thing it’s winding down.

Well I’ve been blogging for almost five years now and I can’t believe I’ve never shared our family’s favorite caramel corn recipe.

I know it’s a pretty standard recipe, and it’s probably the same recipe many of you use, but there is definitely a wrong and right way to make it.

Growing up, our Sunday nights almost always consisted of caramel popcorn. My mom would make a batch of caramel corn and all nine of us kids would plop in front of the TV to watch The Wonderful World of Disney (definitely “must-see TV” when I was a kid) along with the big silver bowl of caramel corn.  It was my favorite night of the week. I think all my siblings would say the same thing. Oh those were the good old days.There’s really nothing fancy or special about this recipe, but it’s good, really, really good. Still to this day, every time I eat it, it brings back a flood of great memories.

The secret to making this is to not overcook your caramel. Take it off the stove as soon as it gets to softball stage, and you want it to be a “soft” softball stage (see recipe notes). Also, you don’t want to use too much popcorn. We like our popcorn to be really gooey, so I use less popcorn than probably some people.

This stuff is so crazy delicious a bag of it makes a killer neighbor gift.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Caramel Popcorn


★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup popcorn kernels, popped ((about 20 cups of popped popcorn))
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Pop popcorn using a hot air popper or other any popcorn machine you have. Place popped popcorn in a large bowl, removing any kernals. Set bowl aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until a softball stage (don’t overcook!) then remove from heat and pour over popped popcorn. Carefully stir until all the popcorn is covered. Let cool slightly before eating.

Notes

You can use microwave popcorn if you want. You’ll need about 2 1/2 to 3 bags, depending on how well it pops up. When I do use microwave popcorn I usually use the light, so there’s not a lot of salt and butter on it. I have used the movie theater butter kind before and it’s delicious with the caramel sauce poured over it, it’s just a little richer tasting with the buttered popcorn.

I use the cold water test to check for the softball stage. I take it off the stove as soon as it forms a really soft ball, I don’t let it get to a firm softball because I like my popcorn to stay soft and gooey. Once it comes to a full boil, it only takes 4 to 5 minutes to get it to the right softball stage.

  • Category: Candy/Treats

Did you make this recipe?

Follow  @jodi_lud_5boysbaker on Instagram and show me the recipes you're making from my blog using the hashtag #5boysbaker .  I love seeing all the deliciousness you're making.

BE SURE AND PIN THIS TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS SO YOU CAN MAKE IT LATER!

Filed Under: 12 Days of Sugar, Candy/Treats/Sweet snacks Tagged With: caramel, holiday gift, popcorn, treats

Comments

  1. Lori West says

    December 11, 2017 at 11:44 am

    This is a family keeper for sure!

    Reply
  2. Bekki says

    August 11, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    I made this tonight..best caramel popcorn ever!!! It’s gooey and delish. The flavor of the caramel reminds me of Sugar Daddy suckers! Yum!

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      August 11, 2019 at 8:34 pm

      Hi Bekki! I’m so happy you loved this. I agree, it is the best popcorn ever. We made this almost every Sunday when I was growing up, it’s definitely a family favorite! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        October 22, 2019 at 8:40 pm

        Hi Jodi, how long in advance can I make this Carmel popcorn and have it be fresh? I am having a pumpkin decorating party and want to make in advance if possible.

        Reply
        • Jodi says

          October 23, 2019 at 7:55 am

          Hi Colleen! I wouldn’t make this more than a day in advance. I love it best the day I make it just because it’s extra gooey and fresh, but it is still delicious the second day. You could even make it the morning of your party and set it aside until the party. Good luck!

          Reply
  3. Melanie W says

    March 1, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    We made this after church and it was incredible! I totally get why this was a Sunday repeat for your family!

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      March 1, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      Yay! So glad you finally made it. It’s addicting!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Fam Pic

Hi! I'm Jodi, welcome to 5 Boys Baker where I share my love of chocolate & sweets and everything in between.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search for Recipes

More…

Discover Deliciousness!

get my latest recipes
and more . . .


Browse Recipes

Christmas Magic Layer Bars are a fun and festive w Christmas Magic Layer Bars are a fun and festive way to dress up the classic seven layer bar. Layered with a graham cracker crust, semisweet, white and peanut butter chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, coconut and Christmas M&MS! Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, melted2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips3/4 cup white chocolate chips3/4 cup peanut butter chips1 can (4 oz) sweetened condensed milk1 cup shredded coconut3/4 cup red & green M&MsSuch a delicious holiday treat! Full recipe in my bio ♥️ #sevenlayerbars #christmascookie #christmasbrownies #christmastreats
This White Chocolate Toffee Bar Cheesecake is utte This White Chocolate Toffee Bar Cheesecake is utter cheesecake perfection 🍰 Melted white chocolate and chunks of toffee bar. It’s truly phenomenal! Day 7 of 12 days of sugar 😋Crust:1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 11 whole crackers)6 tablespoons melted butterFilling:8 (1/4 oz) Skor or Heath candy bars6 oz. white chocolate, coarsely chopped3 pkgs. (8-oz each) cream cheese, room temperature.1 cup sugar3 extra large eggs1 tablespoons vanillaTopping: 🎂1 cup sour cream3 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon vanillaOn my blog 🎂 #christmascakes #chocolatecakes #cakerecipe #christmasrecipes
Day 6 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎉🎄These Homemade T Day 6 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎉🎄These Homemade Twix Bites are delightful little gems that taste like a Twix candy bar. Made with only 3 simple ingredients. . . they couldn’t be easier!Ingredients:50 Mini Nilla wafers cookies25 Rolos, unwrapped1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips *see notes2 teaspoons coconut oil, optionalFull recipe on my blog ♥️ #christmascookie #christmasrecipes #christmastreat
Day 5 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎄😋 These Frosted G Day 5 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎄😋 These Frosted Gingerbread Cookies are soft, thick, chewy and topped with delicious cream cheese frosting. Made with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and molasses, they’re perfectly spiced and the perfect holiday cookie! ♡Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened2/3 cup dark brown sugar (or light is fine too)1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 cup molasses1 2/3 cup all purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 tablespoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground cloves1/4 teaspoon salt4 oz cream cheese, softened2 tablespoons butter, softened1 teaspoon teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups powdered sugarThis is a perfect Christmas treat!! Full recipe is in the link on my bio. #christmascookie #gingerbreadcookies #gingerbreads #cookierecipe
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge is creamy, decad Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge is creamy, decadent and rich fudge! Day 4 of my 12 Days of Sugar! Ingredients:2 cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Cups3 cups sugar3/4 cup butter, cubed2/3 cup evaporated milk2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme1 teaspoon vanilla extractExtra chopped peanut butter cup for top, optional Full recipe on my blog! #christmasdessert #peanutbutterfudge #fudgerecipe #peanutbuttercups
12 Days of Sugar 🍫🍬 This Slow Cooker Pepperm 12 Days of Sugar 🍫🍬 This Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is peppermint chocolatey goodness in a cup. It’s rich, decadent and absolute perfection. Top it with whipped cream or marshmallows and crushed candy cane. Full recipe on my blog, or head to the link in bio! ♥️#hotchocolatetime #hotchocolaterecipe #peppermintmocha #peppermintbark
Christmas Magic Layer Bars are a fun and festive w Christmas Magic Layer Bars are a fun and festive way to dress up the classic seven layer bar. Layered with a graham cracker crust, semisweet, white and peanut butter chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, coconut and Christmas M&MS! Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, melted2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips3/4 cup white chocolate chips3/4 cup peanut butter chips1 can (4 oz) sweetened condensed milk1 cup shredded coconut3/4 cup red & green M&MsSuch a delicious holiday treat! Full recipe in my bio ♥️ #sevenlayerbars #christmascookie #christmasbrownies #christmastreats
This White Chocolate Toffee Bar Cheesecake is utte This White Chocolate Toffee Bar Cheesecake is utter cheesecake perfection 🍰 Melted white chocolate and chunks of toffee bar. It’s truly phenomenal! Day 7 of 12 days of sugar 😋Crust:1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 11 whole crackers)6 tablespoons melted butterFilling:8 (1/4 oz) Skor or Heath candy bars6 oz. white chocolate, coarsely chopped3 pkgs. (8-oz each) cream cheese, room temperature.1 cup sugar3 extra large eggs1 tablespoons vanillaTopping: 🎂1 cup sour cream3 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon vanillaOn my blog 🎂 #christmascakes #chocolatecakes #cakerecipe #christmasrecipes
Day 6 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎉🎄These Homemade T Day 6 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎉🎄These Homemade Twix Bites are delightful little gems that taste like a Twix candy bar. Made with only 3 simple ingredients. . . they couldn’t be easier!Ingredients:50 Mini Nilla wafers cookies25 Rolos, unwrapped1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips *see notes2 teaspoons coconut oil, optionalFull recipe on my blog ♥️ #christmascookie #christmasrecipes #christmastreat
Day 5 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎄😋 These Frosted G Day 5 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎄😋 These Frosted Gingerbread Cookies are soft, thick, chewy and topped with delicious cream cheese frosting. Made with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and molasses, they’re perfectly spiced and the perfect holiday cookie! ♡Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened2/3 cup dark brown sugar (or light is fine too)1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 cup molasses1 2/3 cup all purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 tablespoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground cloves1/4 teaspoon salt4 oz cream cheese, softened2 tablespoons butter, softened1 teaspoon teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups powdered sugarThis is a perfect Christmas treat!! Full recipe is in the link on my bio. #christmascookie #gingerbreadcookies #gingerbreads #cookierecipe
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge is creamy, decad Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge is creamy, decadent and rich fudge! Day 4 of my 12 Days of Sugar! Ingredients:2 cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Cups3 cups sugar3/4 cup butter, cubed2/3 cup evaporated milk2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme1 teaspoon vanilla extractExtra chopped peanut butter cup for top, optional Full recipe on my blog! #christmasdessert #peanutbutterfudge #fudgerecipe #peanutbuttercups
12 Days of Sugar 🍫🍬 This Slow Cooker Pepperm 12 Days of Sugar 🍫🍬 This Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is peppermint chocolatey goodness in a cup. It’s rich, decadent and absolute perfection. Top it with whipped cream or marshmallows and crushed candy cane. Full recipe on my blog, or head to the link in bio! ♥️#hotchocolatetime #hotchocolaterecipe #peppermintmocha #peppermintbark
Christmas Magic Layer Bars are a fun and festive w Christmas Magic Layer Bars are a fun and festive way to dress up the classic seven layer bar. Layered with a graham cracker crust, semisweet, white and peanut butter chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, coconut and Christmas M&MS! Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, melted2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips3/4 cup white chocolate chips3/4 cup peanut butter chips1 can (4 oz) sweetened condensed milk1 cup shredded coconut3/4 cup red & green M&MsSuch a delicious holiday treat! Full recipe in my bio ♥️ #sevenlayerbars #christmascookie #christmasbrownies #christmastreats
This White Chocolate Toffee Bar Cheesecake is utte This White Chocolate Toffee Bar Cheesecake is utter cheesecake perfection 🍰 Melted white chocolate and chunks of toffee bar. It’s truly phenomenal! Day 7 of 12 days of sugar 😋Crust:1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 11 whole crackers)6 tablespoons melted butterFilling:8 (1/4 oz) Skor or Heath candy bars6 oz. white chocolate, coarsely chopped3 pkgs. (8-oz each) cream cheese, room temperature.1 cup sugar3 extra large eggs1 tablespoons vanillaTopping: 🎂1 cup sour cream3 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon vanillaOn my blog 🎂 #christmascakes #chocolatecakes #cakerecipe #christmasrecipes
Day 6 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎉🎄These Homemade T Day 6 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎉🎄These Homemade Twix Bites are delightful little gems that taste like a Twix candy bar. Made with only 3 simple ingredients. . . they couldn’t be easier!Ingredients:50 Mini Nilla wafers cookies25 Rolos, unwrapped1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips *see notes2 teaspoons coconut oil, optionalFull recipe on my blog ♥️ #christmascookie #christmasrecipes #christmastreat
Day 5 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎄😋 These Frosted G Day 5 of 12 Days of Sugar 🎄😋 These Frosted Gingerbread Cookies are soft, thick, chewy and topped with delicious cream cheese frosting. Made with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and molasses, they’re perfectly spiced and the perfect holiday cookie! ♡Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened2/3 cup dark brown sugar (or light is fine too)1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 cup molasses1 2/3 cup all purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 tablespoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground cloves1/4 teaspoon salt4 oz cream cheese, softened2 tablespoons butter, softened1 teaspoon teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups powdered sugarThis is a perfect Christmas treat!! Full recipe is in the link on my bio. #christmascookie #gingerbreadcookies #gingerbreads #cookierecipe
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge is creamy, decad Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge is creamy, decadent and rich fudge! Day 4 of my 12 Days of Sugar! Ingredients:2 cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Cups3 cups sugar3/4 cup butter, cubed2/3 cup evaporated milk2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme1 teaspoon vanilla extractExtra chopped peanut butter cup for top, optional Full recipe on my blog! #christmasdessert #peanutbutterfudge #fudgerecipe #peanutbuttercups
12 Days of Sugar 🍫🍬 This Slow Cooker Pepperm 12 Days of Sugar 🍫🍬 This Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is peppermint chocolatey goodness in a cup. It’s rich, decadent and absolute perfection. Top it with whipped cream or marshmallows and crushed candy cane. Full recipe on my blog, or head to the link in bio! ♥️#hotchocolatetime #hotchocolaterecipe #peppermintmocha #peppermintbark

Copyright © 2023 · Five Boys Baker · Privacy Policy · design by Designer Blogs