How do I make gourmet caramel popcorn?

Indulge in the sweet and savory flavors of our gourmet caramel popcorn recipe. Perfect for movie nights or sweet cravings!

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I make gourmet caramel popcorn. Items include: Popcorn Butter Brown Sugar Corn Syrup Salt Vanilla Extract Baking Soda

Popcorn 8 cups
Butter 1 cup
Brown Sugar 2 cups
Corn Syrup 1/2 cup
Salt 1 teaspoon
Vanilla Extract 1/2 teaspoon
Baking Soda 1/2 teaspoon

Take note
Be careful when working with hot caramel as it can cause burns. Make sure to use oven mitts and handle the caramel with caution.

1

Pop the Popcorn

Start by popping 8 cups of popcorn. You can use an air popper, stovetop popper, or even microwave popcorn if you're in a pinch. Just make sure it's plain and doesn't have any added butter or salt.

2

Prepare the Caramel

In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 2 cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil.

3

Cook the Caramel

Let the caramel boil for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. This will ensure a smooth and creamy texture. Be patient, my friend, it'll be worth it!

4

Add Some Flavor

Remove the caramel from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. The vanilla will give it a hint of sweetness, and the baking soda will help create a light and airy texture.

5

Coat the Popcorn

Pour the caramel over the popcorn and use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss until all the popcorn is coated. Take your time with this step to make sure every kernel gets a taste of that caramel goodness.

6

Bake and Cool

Spread the caramel-coated popcorn onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent burning. Once baked, let it cool completely before snacking away!