It's September 24th, and that means that Fall has officially arrived! Strangely enough, where I live the super hot days of summer abruptly came to an end on exactly this day. People who know me in real life can testify of my love for all things autumn. I love the crisp fall air, I love the changing of the leaves, I love pumpkins and Halloween, and buying new sweaters. Perhaps most of all, I love fall food. There are even certain things that I make all year long, that become magically special in the fall, like caramel corn!There are 2 schools when it comes to caramel corn: those who like it warm and soft, and those who like it crisp and crunchy. This recipe is awesome because 1. It tastes amazing, 2. It's suuuper easy, and 3. You can make it gooey or crunchy. Pretty much anyone and everyone who eats this asks for the recipe.
12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)
1 C brown sugar
1/4 C white Karo syrup
1/2 t salt (if you are using salted microwave popcorn then omit salt here)
1 stick real butter
1/2 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
Pop popcorn and set aside. Place brown sugar, Karo syrup, salt, and butter in a microwave safe dish. I cut up the butter into chunks so it melts better.
Are you ready for the directions? I'm warning you, it's complicated. You might want to take notes. Here we go. Microwave for 30 seconds. That should be enough to melt the butter at least half way. Stir it all to combine. No microwave on high for 2 minutes. Take it out and stir. Microwave for 2 more minutes.
Told you it was complicated.
While the caramel is cooking, put the popcorn in a big bowl. Use one that is way bigger than you think you'll need. Just trust me. Also, try to get any un-popped kernels out so you don't break a tooth and try to sue me.
When the caramel is done cooking, take out of microwave and add baking soda and vanilla. Sit back and watch it do cool things like bubble and foam.
At this point you'll probably want to stick your finger in there and lick it. Don't do it. You are mesmerized by the caramely goodness and are forgetting how hot boiling sugar is. Especially on your tongue. It's hot. Really hot. Don't ask me how I know.
Stir it well and then pour it over the popcorn.
Mix it up well with a big spoon. I usually spread it all out on a piece of foil and let it cool for a minute so it doesn't get stuck in one big clump. The longer it sits out, the firmer it will get, but it won't ever get crunchy-hard unless you bake it.
For crunchy caramel corn: spread out on a cookie sheet (you might need 2) and bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
How many times do I have to tell you not to lick the screen??
For a variation try this reader favorite: Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
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This is the Weight Watchers version, right? :p
I like it gooey!
I like it gooey.
I've been using this same recipe for years except with 1 tsp of baking soda. I got the recipe from my husbands grandmother, except it didn't use the microwave because she's been making it since the dawn of time LOL. I also always use the microwave to make it. So much easier!
I will be making this for snack for after school today! Yum! Or maybe I should make a "test" batch for breakfast just in case I mess it up. Wouldn't want to disappoint the chillins! :)
Only crunchy! I think I am going to make this with the Young Women one wednesday. That should be fun. We dont have an oven so we can only do things that are micro friendly. Hope they like it chewy!
Yum! I think I'm going to go and make this right now. Who cares that it's 8 in the morning! Gooey carmel for me!
Oh my gosh, that photo makes me want to eat my computer screen. I am drooling right now. I'm a caramel corn finatic. Love it! Thanks for the nice comment on my blog! I read yours too, and I love it!
gooey, please! can't wait to try it. yum!
Definitely gooey!
Gooey. My grandma would make this and mail it to each of the families for a Christmas treat.
Gooey for me! And fall is also my favorite time of the year! I love fall clothes and I love fall food even more!
Also, I made the French Bread recipe for buns for BBQ pork sandwiches. The buns turned out so well! They were delicious.
Gooey - but your version of crunchy with chocolate drizzled on the top sounds just divine.
I have LUUUUUUUVVED this recipe - ever since I married your brother. Thanks!
Yum! I love caramel corn, and it HAS to be gooey. My mom uses a recipe with sweeten condensed milk, it's so good. But I will have to try this because it looks much easier!!
This is just like a recipe my older brother brought home from his junior high school home ec class in 1981. We haven't had it in years. Mmmm. Gooey.
My hubbie doesn't even acknowledge that there is any caramel corn other than gooey and I have to agree. My favorite thing about fall (besides my b-day!) is definitely the food and the way it always tastes better after the change in the air. Thanks for the fun post!
I will eat caramel corn in any form! I have to admit, though, I probably prefer it gooey. Every time I make this I get sick because I eat so much. I have to have plenty of cold milk on hand.
I also need to second the intruction to remove the loose kernels- ouch!
Oh- and my favorite thing about fall (and I am not trying to suck up here!) is visiting your house. You decorate for fall like most people decorate for Christmas! I love being surrounded by all the fall colors, the pumpkins and soft warm lights, and most of all the smell of spices from the kitchen! I can't wait for Thanksgiving!
My husband's family makes a recipe very similar to this, and it's SO good gooey. They put plastic baggies over their hands before digging in to keep from getting too sticky, which I thought was brilliant. Last time I was over there, my brother-in-law put some cinnamon in it, holy cow...I made myself sick. Try it! I'm going to try this...thanks for the great recipes!
I'll take it however I can get it, but my perfect caramel corn is slightly crunchy gooey. Is that picky enough for you?? :)
oooh Marc- I have a cinnamon variation that's divine! I was saving it for another day so you may see that post coming up!
I use a recipe kind of like this, and to make it crunchy, instead of baking it in the oven, I put the coated popcorn in a glass bowl, and microwave it for 2 more minutes, then spread it out to cool. Works great!
What's wrong with all you people, IT's GOT TO BE CRUNCHY, gooey just gets all stuck in your teeth! This recipe is great cuz I like it crunchy and my wife loves it gooey. That's the only way she makes it. Now I have an option for both. Thanks!
My favorite fall food is anything with pumpkin in it. By the way have you tried the new Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses. They are to die for!
This my favorite. Ever since Sara made this for me a coule years ago. We make it quite a bit because i always have the ingredients on hand.
I was wondering if you have a good recipe for caramel. You know for dipping apples. Or do you just buy store bought stuff(gasp!)
Amazing stuff...have to say I like it gooey, but Sara's newest creation of cinnamon white chocolate caramel corn is stupendous. It's better than Dale & Thomas!
Alisa- I'm *pretty* sure that Kate's fabulous carameled apples will be making an appearance here in the near future. Stay tuned...
crunchy for sure!
I come here and lurk alot!
I love all your yummy ideas and recipes that you share! I love carmel corn! Love it love it love it!
I am just wondering if you have ever heard of my old standby recipe. I almost always have the ingredients on hand and i can use mirco popcorn.
Tausha's Gooey/yummy popcorn
1 cube butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
10-12 large marshmellows
1 bag micro popcorn
melt in a pan on med heat on the stove. When the butter and sugar are BARELY melted together-throw the marshmellows in. Cook until just barely carmel brown. I take it off the heat right before all the marshmellows melt.
If you cook it too long-it will go hard.
Pour over popcorn!
Yummy and super easy. This takes about as much times as your yummy recips does.
Just hope that you don't care that I shared one of our fav popcorn recipes!
Keep up the great work!
Ok, I HAVE to leave a comment. I have been visiting your blog for several weeks and have probably made everything you have posted since then! Your bread sticks and rolls were to die for.. I have used this recipe for caramel corn quite a bit,, the only difference is that after my "goo" is made I pour it over the popcorn that is in a huge brown sack. I curl the top down and put in the microwave. and nuke it for 2 minutes. shake like crazy and repeat again. then dump onto a cookie sheet.. pretty darn good. I like it both crispy and gooey.. whats a girl to do??
I love GOOOey caramel corn and I will be making this. Y.U.M. (how could anything with an entire stick of butter be anything but delish?
Gooey. There is no other way. So let it be written, so let it be done.
I've been making this caramel corn for years minus the vanilla-but I put it in a brown paper grocery sack like Elaine that commented right above me. It makes it so yummy and crunchy! Our family's favorite quick treat. Next time I'll add the vanilla though and take a vote!
I just made your yummy Caramel Corn, and I am seriously having the hardest time just leaving it on the counter to cool. It may not even make it to book club tonight. Thanks for the awesome recipe, your blog is the bomb. Oh and I like gooey or crunchy. Easy to please.
Gooey! For sure! I love this website and your personality and wit...not only do I get good recipes from here, but entertainment at the same time;)
This has nothing to do with carmel corn, but I have to say that I tried your pizza dough and sauce tonight and it was absoulutly wonderful! And easy too! My husband asked if we could start making pizza once a week, so it must have been a hit! Good work ladies! And for the record, gooey is the best.
I started popping the popcorn and then realized I didn't have brown sugar! So I used 1 cup of white sugar and 1/4 dark corn syrup isntead - it was still really yummy! Half was gooey and half was crunchy. Both were great!
I always liked crunchy, because they gooey kind I made always got stuck to your teeth. Then I tried a gooey kind made with sweetened condensed milk. Wow, it was really, really good, and didn't stick to your teeth.
This is going to put me in a diabetic coma, but from the looks of it, it will be soooo worth it! droool...
I like it both ways, depends on my mood, but this weekend I think I will divide it and bake half to find out how my kids like it!
Thanks! I already ahd a great microwave recipe but couldn't bake it and get the crunch I sometimes crave!
I can not tell you how many times I have made this recipe since it was posted (an embarrassing amount really) because it is SO delicious. THANK YOU!
Crunchy!! So pleased to have found your site and another Autumn fan!
Ali @ Holiday Hollow
This stuff is dangerous:)
I made this yesterday and we re-named this Crack Corn..we seriously inhaled this..lol Thanks so much for an awesome recipe!!!
OMG! I made several batches this weekend! This stuff is amazing and so simple to make.
YOUVE GOT TO TRY THIS! WARNING:YOU WILL GET HOOKED!
aww you guys are amazing! I've had your button on my blog for well over a year now and I cant believe how popular you are now! I have no need to keep posting your recipes because people are now following you in droves - I LOVE IT! Congrats on the success! You ladies keep posting a-freakin-mazing recipes!
Many thanks for this simple and easy tip.I knew how to make salted pop corn but the sweet variety always resulted in a burnt pan and smoke filled kitchen.I will try this for sure.Thanks
Crunchy is sooo good and even more amazing if you drizzle on some melted chocolate after it cools...did you add some salted peanuts...bet you eat the whole batch!
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! It is SOOOO GOOD!!! I've never tried a microwave recipe for caramel popcorn before and had never had it gooey until just last month. Amazing but true. And so easy to make! Woohoo! I'll be making this again soon. Even my daughter loves it! We were fighting over who could eat more of it. Ok, not really. But I was trying to push her out of the way so she couldn't eat anymore. :) Thanks again!
Is the butter salted or unsalted?
Shafer Fam- honestly, it doesn't really matter. I use salted butter though.
This recipe was awesome, thank you for posting. Today I made your coleslaw and have received raves from my daughters, one who said she usually didn't like coleslaw. Welcome to my kitchen!
Hi, Rebecca from Taiwan again :) I can't find Karo syrup where I am, but I've heard that you can use "simple syrup" (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, bring to boil stirring until sugar dissolves and cool) what do you think about that for this recipe? Thanks!
Hey Rebecca!
Do you happen to have honey there? That makes a really good substitute- I actually use it often here at home. I've never tried simple syrup, it's definitely a lot thinner than Karo, but you could give it a try if you can't find honey either. Good luck!
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