There is just something about the buttery crunch of homemade caramel corn that makes you keep going back for more. There is no stopping it and it's ok, because you won't really want to stop anyway. The secret to getting that crunch is cooking the popcorn after coating it in caramel.
A lot of people do that in the oven, and it works great. But my husband's grandma has a secret that makes it so much quicker and even easier!
When I asked my husband if his grandma had any recipes he really loved, this was the first thing he mentioned. He remembers them making it together when he was a kid.
They liked it so much, that he and his sister asked her to make it a couple of years back. We all went to Grandma's house and made the caramel corn.
To be honest, I was shocked to see her dump it all in a paper bag and put it in the microwave. I had never seen it done like that.
We couldn't wait for it to cool. We ate it while it was still hot and sticky!
So, next time you are at the grocery store, ask for a paper bag. You'll thank yourself!
My husband's grandma also gave us her popular chicken broccoli casserole and her husband gave us Grandpa Joe's pumpkin apple muffins. They are all winners! Have you ever made homemade caramel corn?
Tips and Tricks:
Add as many or as few peanuts as you like. We love the peanuts, so we add a ton. You can leave them out and it's good that way too.
Make sure the caramel corn is completely cooled before you bag it up. If kept in an airtight container, it will keep its crunchy exterior for quite some time. Humidity will make it soften quickly.
You can use two bags of microwave popcorn if you'd like. Otherwise use your air popper or pop some on the stove.
Everyone will have a better experience if you really make sure there are no unpopped kernels in the mix. I like to dump the popcorn into one bowl and transfer it a handful at a time into a second bowl.
The hard kernels naturally fall to the bottom of the first bowl and it's easy to keep them out of the final mix. Those guys make for an unpleasant surprise if you leave them in there.
Serving your caramel corn:
We find so many occasions where serving this cracker jack like mix is appropriate. Like a baseball themed party or a snack for watching an actual game.
We almost always have some for a big game football parties as well. It is a fun sweet snack that doesn't require committing to a full slice of dessert.
Caramel corn will take your next movie night to the next level as well!
If you are going to serve it at a party, store it in an airtight container until it's almost time for the party to start. Then transfer it to your serving bowls.
It is also a fun party favor. Bag it up on small cellophane bags and give it to your guests as a parting treat! This would make for a fun and different bake sale item as well!
Yield: 24 Servings
Grandma's Microwave Caramel Corn
There is just something about the buttery crunch of homemade caramel corn that makes you keep going back for more. There is no stopping it and it's ok, because you won't really want to start. The secret to getting that crunch is cooking the popcorn after coating it in caramel.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 20 Min
Ingredients
- 16-20 cups popped popcorn*
- peanuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Place popcorn in a paper grocery bag. Add nuts if using.
- In medium sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Boil for 3 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Stir in baking soda.
- Pour caramel mixture over popcorn. Roll down the top of the bag and shake.
- Place bag in microwave and heat on high for 1 1/2 minutes
- Shake and place back in microwave. Heat for 1 minute 15 seconds.
- Shake again and then pour onto a wax paper lined rimmed baking sheet to cool.
- Cool completely before moving to an airtight container for storage.
Notes:
*You can use 2 bags of microwave popcorn or pop your own corn using your favorite method.
Calories
106.10Fat (grams)
5.88Sat. Fat (grams)
2.86Carbs (grams)
13.47Fiber (grams)
0.60Net carbs
12.87Sugar (grams)
10.14Protein (grams)
0.50Sodium (milligrams)
150.46Cholesterol (grams)
10.17
Definitely going to try this :) Stopping by from Tumbleweed Contessa's Superbowl Party!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like caramel corn. Thanks for stopping by Tumbleweed Contessa. Have a great Super Bowl party.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Thank you! It is a really good recipe and super easy.
DeleteOMG this caramel corn looks awesome and not too difficult to make. Your recipe has the most clicks, over at Simple Supper Tuesday. We hope you can join us again this week, starting Monday night at 8pm EST.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome, thanks! It is so much easier doing it in the microwave than the oven.
DeleteYour delicious popcorn received the Most Clicks at our Simple Supper Tuesday Linky Party at Moore or Less Cooking!!
ReplyDeleteLINK: http://mooreorlesscooking.com/2015/01/26/simple-supper-tuesday-linky-party-46/
That is awesome, thank you!
DeleteIt really is a good recipe. So much easier than baking it off!
Genius! Thanks your Grandma from all of us!!
ReplyDeleteMollie
Isn't it a perfect way to finish the caramel corn? Anything that makes it edible faster is a win in my book!
DeleteThe best popcorn! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt really is!! Thanks, Lee!
DeleteYUM! This sounds so tasty! What a neat snack!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you!
DeleteNow this sounds so delish! And I love that it's simpler and quicker than usual, and I hate cleaning the caramelized bits off the cookie sheet. This is perfect. Making for our next family movie night!
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy and so much quicker! I hope you all love it!
DeleteWe used to always make popcorn in a paperbag in the microwave, back in the day when my folks got their first Amana Radar Range, lol!! But this deliciousness? Wow!! Can't wait to try it!!
ReplyDeleteMollie
How fun! I was shocked when I saw Matt's grandma make it this way for the first time. Now it's the only way I make caramel corn!
DeleteOk, I think I can actually manage this one! Can't wait to make this! thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteYou can for sure!
DeleteI had no idea you could do it like this in the microwave! Totally going to do this! Have a beautiful day friend!
ReplyDeleteIt's so much faster than baking it and you get the same finish! I hope you love it!
DeleteI've always made it in the oven since we don't have a microwave, but this is so great to know! I love caramel corn -- such a great snack!
ReplyDeleteWe love the oven finished caramel corn too, but this makes it so much quicker!
Delete