Amish Caramel Corn is a delicious and popular sweet treat that is made by coating popped popcorn with a simple homemade caramel syrup. It's perfect for a sweet and crunchy snack to enjoy at your holiday parties or any time you're craving a tasty treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Popcorn is a simple and affordable snack loved by everyone, especially when it's coated with a delightful caramel sauce. This Amish recipe is easy to make, so it's a win all around!
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Ingredients
- Plain Popped Corn is the recipe's base and provides a crunchy texture that contrasts with the sticky caramel coating.
- Butter adds richness and flavor to the caramel sauce. It also helps create a smooth texture.
- Brown Sugar adds sweetness and a deep, caramel-like flavor. Its molasses content also contributes to the rich flavor and color of the caramel.
- Light Corn Syrup helps prevent crystallization in the caramel sauce, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. It also adds sweetness and helps the caramel maintain its softness.
- Salt enhances the overall flavor profile by balancing the sweetness and adding a subtle savory note. It also helps to intensify other flavors in the recipe.
- Baking Soda is added to the caramel sauce to create tiny air bubbles, which make it lighter and more tender. It also helps to stabilize the caramel and prevent it from becoming too hard.
- Peanuts (Optional) add crunch, texture, and a nutty flavor to the caramel popcorn. They provide a satisfying contrast.
These ingredients work together to create a deliciously sweet, crunchy, and addictive treat that's perfect for snacking on.
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Popcorn
Obviously, popcorn is the main ingredient in making caramel corn. (You will need approximately 1 ¼ cups of unpopped kernels.)
For making caramel popcorn, you'll want to use plain popcorn without a lot of extra butter or oil. Therefore, air-popped popcorn or stove-popped corn is the best. If you don't have a popcorn popper, you can make it in a pan on the stovetop. Here is a guide to make it in a pan.
Use any kind of popcorn kernels you like or have on hand. However, in case you didn't know, there is a big difference in popcorn.
I prefer white popcorn over yellow. The yellow popcorn that is sold at Walmart produces larger, tougher popped kernels, while white kernels are often smaller and more tender.
I also love the lady-finger popcorn that can often be found at bulk food stores. It is soft and tender, making the best popcorn.
Can I Use Microwave Popcorn?
I don't recommend using microwave popcorn. However, if you must, use popcorn with the least amount of butter and flavoring you can find.
How to Make Caramel Popcorn
- Pop the Popcorn:
- Pop the popcorn using your preferred method, and pour it into a large greased bowl or roast pan. Remove any unpopped kernels.
- Prepare Caramel Syrup:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Cook the Caramel:
- Allow the mixture to come to a rolling boil and set a timer for five minutes.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in baking soda. Just a warning, you'll want to use a big enough saucepan to allow room for it to rise. When the baking soda gets stirred into the mixture it will momentarily puff up several inches.
- Coat the Popcorn:
- Pour the hot caramel over the popped popcorn, ensuring an even coating.
- Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently mix and coat the popcorn with the caramel.
- Bake:
- For a nice crisp texture, spread the caramel-coated popcorn on greased baking sheets and bake it, uncovered, in the oven at 250 degrees F. for one hour, stirring at least once or twice. (For easy cleanup, use disposable roasting pans. I do not recommend using parchment paper.)
- Cool and Break Apart:
- Allow the caramel popcorn to cool completely, then break it into individual pieces as desired. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Variations
- Nut Additions: Feel free to include nuts like peanuts or sliced almonds for added crunch and flavor. I like to add one or two cups of dry roasted peanuts to make caramel nut popcorn. But it's great without them as well.
- Flavorings: You can experiment with additional flavorings like vanilla extract or cinnamon to enhance the taste.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After the caramel popcorn has cooled, add a drizzling of melted chocolate and allow the chocolate to harden before storing.
Old-fashioned caramel popcorn is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other snacks. It's perfect for movie nights, parties, or simply as a sweet treat. Whether store-bought or homemade, caramel popcorn aka caramel corn is a classic favorite for many.
How Long Does Caramel Popcorn Last?
Caramel corn is the best within the first couple of days. However, when stored in an airtight container, it should be good for up to a week or two.
Caramel Corn for the Christmas Holidays
I absolutely love everything about the holidays: family time, great food, games, presents, peppermint, chocolates, gingerbread, lights, and the feeling of excitement in the air. (Of course, I always wish for some snow, which doesn't often happen here in Missouri).
Christmas has always been a special time for me. As a kid growing up with my Amish family, we didn't put up a tree or lights and all the other décor like most people do. Sometimes we'd bring in a little greenery to put with some candles, and that was about all the decorating we did.
But we always baked lots of holiday cookies and treats, including this caramel popcorn with nuts. We went Christmas shopping, caroling, and all that fun stuff.
The best part of Christmas though was the family gatherings, and homemade caramel corn was often served as an afternoon snack while playing games.
I have another article where I share more about our Christmas traditions.
This Amish recipe for baked caramel corn is my favorite, it's easy and quick to make and tastes better than store-bought caramel popcorn.
It can be a challenge to keep my kids and husband from eating half of it while it's cooling :). Because this seriously is the best Amish caramel corn recipe! Homemade caramel popcorn is so delicious!!
More Amish Snack Recipes
If you get to try this recipe for the best homemade Amish caramel popcorn, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
I hope you have a blessed holiday and enjoy all your treats!
📖 Recipe Card
Amish Caramel Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 - 10 qt. plain popped corn (depending on how well you want it covered with caramel)
- 1 c. butter 2 sticks
- 2 c. brown sugar
- ½ c. light corn syrup
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 c. peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn and measure it into a large greased bowl or roast pan.8 - 10 qt. plain popped corn
- Add peanuts on top.1 c. peanuts (optional)
- In a large saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Add salt. Bring to boil, and cook for 5 minutes.2 c. brown sugar, ½ c. light corn syrup, 1 c. butter, 1 tsp. salt
- Remove from the heat and add baking soda. It will puff up momentarily, so make sure to use a big enough pan. Stir well.½ tsp. baking soda
- Immediately pour the sauce over the popcorn and stir to cover all the pieces.
- Spread the caramel-coated popcorn onto 2 large, greased cookie sheets or a large roast pan.
- Bake at 250° for 1 hour, uncovered. Stir about halfway through.
- Cool and break apart. Store in an airtight container.
Anna
We love this popcorn!!
Kay
I love this stuff!
Yvonne
I made this today!!! It's so yummy!!! Make sure you read Anna's narrative before the recipe for extra info to make this recipe simple to make.
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂