Caramel Popcorn Made at Home

Imagine you reach for a handful of caramel popcorn from your City Pop stash and realize you already ate all of it and forgot to re-order! Now you need to make caramel popcorn at home - in a pinch. Take a look at this at home recipe for a quick and easy treat.

At City Pop we have have over 5 different types of made-from-scratch caramel options. But sometimes while waiting on your next City Pop order to arrive you need some quick caramel corn. No sweat - check out the following: 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Step 1: Pop the Popcorn Start by popping the popcorn kernels. You can use an air popper, stovetop method, or microwave popcorn. Choose a method that works best for you. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels and transfer the popped corn to a large bowl. Set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Caramel Sauce In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture melts and comes to a boil. Continue boiling for another 4-5 minutes without stirring, until the mixture turns a golden brown color. Be careful not to let it burn.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Baking Soda Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up, so be cautious. Mix well until the caramel sauce becomes smooth and evenly incorporated.

Step 4: Coat the Popcorn Pour the caramel sauce over the popped corn in the bowl. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently toss and coat the popcorn evenly with the caramel sauce. Take your time to ensure every kernel gets a delicious coating.

Step 5: Bake for Crispy Perfection Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread the caramel-coated popcorn in an even layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent clumping and ensure even baking.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy! Once the baking time is complete, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the caramel popcorn cool completely. As it cools, it will become crisp and crunchy. Break apart any large clusters and transfer the caramel popcorn to an airtight container for storage or immediate snacking.

Now, nothing beats have a delicious bag of City Pop to grab from - so be sure to stock up and keep plenty on hand so you don't run into this situation. Check our most popular flavors: Extra Buttery Caramel Popcorn or Caramel Popcorn or Chicago Style (Cheese & Caramel Mix) Popcorn.