Caramel Corn in 5 Steps
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup popcorn
- 4 Tbsp coconut oil
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- 1 1/2 sticks of butter
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp of molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Pop your corn in whatever way is easiest for you. It's important that your popcorn be fresh and sturdy, which is why we recommend popping your own. Start with 1/2 cup of kernels to make 10 to 12 cups of popcorn. (We like to pop it 4 Tbsp of neutral oil in a big, lidded Dutch oven on the stovetop, shaking the pot here and there.) Dump the popcorn into a large bowl and, if you want to get creative, add nuts or dried fruit, too.
- Start making the caramel. Melt 1 1/2 sticks of butter, then add a cup of brown sugar and a Tbsp or two of molasses. After the sugar's melted, crank up the heat and boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir constantly so that the caramel doesn't stick and burn. (If you like a bit of bite to your caramel corn, it's helpful to know that the longer the caramel is on the stove, the crunchier your corn will be. Just don't leave the caramel on the stove so long that it starts to smoke.)
- Add a tsp of vanilla, a 1/2 tsp of salt (1 tsp if you want a salted caramel corn), and the magic ingredient: 1/4 tsp of baking soda. Baking soda makes the caramel airy and foamy, giving it a softer texture and allowing it to better coat the corn. The air bubbles that form when baking soda is added will make the caramel lighter in color and texture.
- Working quickly, pour the caramel into the bowl of popcorn and stir until all of the corn glistens with the golden sauce.
- Into the oven it goes! Spread your caramel corn into an even layer on a lined baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how dry you like the corn. Stir every 15 minutes, breaking up any clumps (or leaving them intact, if you're a fan).
Notes
Before pouring the caramel mixture over the popcorn is your chance to add other spices or flavorings to the caramel: cayenne, hot sauce, or curry powder for a savory, spicy popcorn; cinnamon, cloves, and other spices for a holiday-themed variety; or maybe some maple syrup if you're Canadian.