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white bowl filled with gooey caramel popcorn and popcorn kernels scattered on the table next to the bowl

Homemade Caramel Popcorn

This is an easy to make, soft and gooey caramel popcorn recipe. If you like caramel then you will love this tasty treat.
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup corn syrup (dark corn syrup adds more caramel flavor but light corn syrup will work too)
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 stick butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Pop the kernels until you have 24 cups of popped corn. Separate the un-popped kernels and discard.
  • Fill a small bowl with some ice water and set next to the stove top.
  • In a large sauce pan combine white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, milk, butter, and the salt. Place over high heat stirring constantly.
  • Once the caramel comes to a boil, cook for another minute or two and then remove from heat.
  • Spoon a teaspoon or so of the caramel into the bowl with the ice water. Try to form the caramel into a ball. If it holds together it is done cooking. If the caramel falls apart return the sauce pan to the heat and continue cooking, stirring continuously for another minute or two before testing again.
  • Once the caramel reaches soft ball stage remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp. of vanilla
  • Carefully pour the caramel over the popped corn.