Classic
Caramel Popcorn
By Kids
Cooking Activities
Caramel popcorn is one of the most popular popcorn
recipes and a traditional sweet treat for movie
nights, parties, and holidays. This homemade caramel
popcorn is coated in a buttery caramel sauce and
baked until perfectly crunchy.
- Classic Sweet Snack
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 5 quarts
popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 5 quarts popped popcorn
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- Place freshly popped popcorn into a very large
mixing bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over
medium heat.
- Stir in brown sugar, salt, and corn syrup.
- Bring mixture to a boil and cook for about 4
minutes while stirring.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and
baking soda.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and
stir gently to coat.
- Spread popcorn into a large baking dish or
roasting pan.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring
every 15 minutes so the caramel coats evenly.
- Allow popcorn to cool slightly before serving.
Kid Cooking Ideas
- Kids can help measure the popcorn and mix it in
the bowl.
- Let kids stir the popcorn during baking to help
coat it evenly.
- Set up small cups so kids can make their own
snack portions.
Fun Add-In Ideas
- Peanuts or roasted almonds
- Chocolate candies
- Pretzel pieces
- Candy corn for fall or Halloween popcorn mixes
Helpful Tips
- Use a very large bowl so the caramel coats the
popcorn evenly.
- Stir the popcorn every 15 minutes during baking
to prevent clumps.
- Let the popcorn cool before breaking it into
pieces.
- Store caramel popcorn in an airtight container
for several days.