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close up of caramel corn in white bowl

Easy Microwave Caramel Popcorn


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5 from 2 reviews

Description

Making classic Caramel Corn is easier than you think. This No Bake Microwave Caramel Corn is ready in less than 10 minutes, no candy thermometer required!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels, air popped plain
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp butter or margarine
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Air pop your popcorn or, if you don’t have an popcorn maker, microwave popcorn in the bag. (Avoid highly buttered and salted versions, plain is best.)
  2. Combine butter, sugar, vanilla, baking soda and corn syrup in a large microwaveable bowl. Melt butter mixture in the microwave for 3 minutes or until fully melted. Stir well.
  3. Separate popcorn into two large bowls-the larger the better for ease of stirring, so use the largest bowl you have.  Make sure it is only popcorn and there are no unpopped popcorn kernels in the bowl. Pour half of the hot caramel mixture over each bowl of popcorn and stir well.
  4. Alternate microwaving each bowl for one minute, stirring thoroughly after each minute of microwaving to help evenly distribute the homemade caramel sauce over the popcorn.  I like to stir one while the other bowl is microwaving and it usually only takes two times in the microwave to have the popcorn well coated.
  5. Spread popcorn in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet or a dish lightly sprayed with nonstick spray until the candy is set (about 5 minutes.)

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 3 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: microwave
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
  • Calories: 144
  • Sugar: 23.9 g
  • Sodium: 185.9 mg
  • Fat: 3.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27.4 g
  • Protein: 0.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
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