The Best Amish Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Amish Caramel Corn Recipe

The Best Amish Caramel Popcorn 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!

Caramel Corn Recipe 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.

My mom hired a taxi a few weeks before Christmas, and we girls got to go with her. We spent the day shopping at lots of different stores, most of them being owned by Amish or Mennonites. And we always came home with a load of groceries and gifts. It was quite an exciting day!

The best part of Christmas though was the family gatherings, and homemade caramel corn was often served as an afternoon snack while playing games.

Popcorn

Obviously, popcorn is the main ingredient in making caramel corn. (You will need approximately 1 1/4 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.

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.

Ingredients for the Caramel Popcorn Glaze

1. Butter adds a rich and creamy flavor to the caramel mixture. It contributes to the overall indulgence of the caramel coating, enhancing the depth of flavor and providing a smooth consistency.
2. Brown Sugar has a molasses content that brings a warm and caramel-like flavor to the mix. It not only sweetens the caramel but also adds a depth of color and a hint of molasses, giving your popcorn a distinct and comforting taste.
3. Light Corn Syrup is a sweet syrup made from cornstarch that prevents sugar crystallization in the caramel. It ensures a smooth and glossy texture in the caramel and provides a consistent sweetness.
4. Salt enhances flavors and balances sweetness in both the caramel and popcorn. A small amount of salt heightens the overall taste by cutting through the sweetness, creating a well-balanced and addictive flavor profile.
5. Baking Soda is a leavening agent that affects the texture of the caramel coating. It causes the caramel to bubble and expand, creating a lighter and more porous coating on the popcorn, giving it a desirable crispness.

How to Make the Best Caramel Popcorn

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.)
6. Cool and Break Apart:
   • Allow the caramel popcorn to cool completely, then break it into individual pieces as desired. Store in an airtight container.

Variations

• Nut Additions: Feel free to include nuts like peanuts or almonds for added crunch and flavor. I like to add one or two cups of dry roasted peanuts to make the best caramel popcorn with peanuts. But it's great without them as well.
• Flavorings: You can experiment with additional flavorings like vanilla extract or cinnamon to enhance the taste.

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 indulgence. Whether store-bought or homemade, caramel popcorn is a classic favorite for many.

My favorite recipe for baked caramel corn is easy and quick to make and tastes even better than store-bought caramel popcorn.

The challenge is to keep your kids or maybe even your husband from eating half of it while it's cooling :). Because this seriously is the best Amish caramel popcorn recipe! Homemade caramel popcorn is so delicious!!

More Amish Holiday Treats

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe (Homemade Candy)

Homemade Caramel Candy

Copycat Lindt Truffles

Layered Finger Jello

More Amish Snack Recipes

Amish Granola Bars Recipe

Homemade Protein Balls

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