About caramel corn
Caramel corn, also called caramel popcorn, is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar syrupy that has been cooked to an amber color. The syrup is poured on the popped popcorn and tossed to coat. After baking the concoction, it is cooled and broken into pieces.
A little caramel corn history
The combination of caramel and corn dates back at least as far as the 1890’s. At the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Cracker Jack was introduced.
After someone who sampled the product exclaimed “That’s a crackerjack!”, which at the time meant “of great quality”. The name stuck and in 1896 the brothers registered Cracker Jack ® and began mass producing the snack.
Make a batch yourself
Package in Halloween theme treat bags for your special Trick-or-treat visitors. Make as birthday party favors and hostess gifts too.
Old Fashioned Caramel Corn Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 5 quarts popped corn
- 2 cups peanuts (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F
Place the popped popcorn into a large roasting pan, My pan has a non-stick finish but if yours doesn’t, you might want to spray or grease it. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Place in preheated oven to keep warm.
In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Boil for 5 minutes while stirring frequently.
Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely, breaking any large clumps. Store in airtight containers or resealable bags.
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Nana Diana says
There is nothing like REAL homemade caramel corn, is there? I have a microwave recipe that we have used for years and it is so good that purchased caramel corn falls far short in comparison.
Hope you have a great week. xo Diana
Pondside says
It’s one of my favourite treats, but I have never made it myself. Roger Chocolates makes one with cashews instead of peanuts. It is a guiltu pleasure!
Anna Thompson says
My sister in law gave me a recipe for caramel corn years ago and I used to make it all the time. I haven’t had it in ages
luciana campos says
ola ! meu nome e Luciana e moro no brazil, gostaria de saber se voce tem uma receita daquelas pipocas mexicanas que sao encontradas nas feiras livres ai nos Estados Unidos?
corners of my life says
Anything that begins with " old fashioned" has to be good.
Janice Pattie says
It looks great Lorraine, homemade is always best.
Janice Pattie says
It looks great Lorraine, homemade is always best.
Debbie Huffaker says
Oh , I would love to be a trick-or-treater at your house! Yummy!
Kristina says
As soon as our homegrown popcorn is dried and ready to pop, I'll have to make this for a treat. Yum.
Cheryl says
Oh my goodness. This looks delicious!! Maybe I can make it when my grandchildren are here to eat the lion's share…
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Total Yum! I haven't made true caramel popcorn in more years than I can count! Cute bags too:@)
Dr Sonia S V says
WOW looks so yummy…I must try these..didnt know we could make the caramel variety at home!!
Came to your blog to see your cards but glad you shared such a yummy recipe
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts Kids Projects
Ann says
I used to make caramel corn ages ago. It's probably been 20 years since I made it last. It sure was good though and yours looks yummy. Love the way you packaged it too
Michelle Muse says
Oh yum! looks soo good!
Debby Ray says
Looks so good I can almost taste it! Thanks for the recipe! And speaking of recipes, I made your apple dip last week…SO YUMMY!!
Lorrie says
Oh YUM! I love caramel corn. And it loves me and sticks around way too long. It's hard to be moderate with caramel corn.
Just a little something from Judy says
Guess what I wish I had sitting in front of me, with my morning coffee? You do that to me, in that you share all your amazingly good looking recipes, and I just have to sit and look at the pictures of them, and dream. Thanks my friend for this recipe. I know I will use it. By the way, thanks to your last post, I found myself humming "This World Is Not My Home" the last few days. Thanks for that too.
Happy Thursday!