Caramel Popcorn

Description

Popcorn coated with brown sugar and corn syrup caramel and then baked for a sweet treat. This makes a wonderful treat to put in popcorn gift baskets! Tastes like gourmet caramel corn. Be sure that the children that will eat it have no allergies are are old enough to have popcorn.
How to make caramel popcorn.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 quarts popped popcorn or 3 bags microwave popcorn
Mh2>Other Items
  • Large Roasting Pan (turkey size)
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  • Medium Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon

Steps to make Caramel Popcorn

  • Place oven rack so that popcorn will be placed about the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C).
  • In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Boil without stirring for four minutes.
  • Pop your popcorn as directed. If you are using microwave popcorn, leave bag sealed in microwave after popping to keep warm.
  • Remove sauce pan from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla extract.
  • Place popcorn into roasting pan, remove as many kernels as you can.
  • Pour caramel in a thin stream over the popcorn, stirring to coat.
  • Place coated popcorn in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes for 45 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into smaller pieces.

Tips and Suggestions

  • If you oven runs hot, lower temperature to 225 degrees F.
  • Be sure to place rack low enough. The first time I did this I used two pans so I placed the top rack a little higher and the caramel got a little scorched in the top roasting pan.
  • Popcorn that is slightly warm will toss better. If you are using microwave popcorn, leave bag sealed to retain some heat.
  • We used Natural Flavored Microwave popcorn.
  • Remove kernels if possible.

Note

    Consult with your pediatrician first before giving your child popcorn. Children under 1 year of age should not eat popcorn as it may pose a choking hazard. Some children may not be ready to eat popcorn until 4 or 5 years old.

    The hull or kernel can be dangerous if ingested, so remove all kernels and hard pieces of popcorn before giving it to your child and monitor while eating. Show your child what a kernel is so they know not to eat it. As a parent, you are best able to determine along with your pediatrician's advice whether or not your child is ready to eat popcorn.