Easy Microwave Classic Caramel Popcorn
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Making classic Caramel Corn is easier than you think! This Microwave Caramel Corn is ready in less than 10 minutes, no candy thermometer required!
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I admit it, I’m not a lover of popcorn {gasp!} My husband and three sons put down popcorn like it’s their job and I never touch the stuff, that is, unless I splurge on some sweet caramel corn! This easy to make microwave recipe is not only fast but perfect for gifts or entertaining as well.
Ingredients to Make Classic Caramel Corn
- 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
How to Make Caramel Corn in the Microwave
Air pop your popcorn or, if you don’t have an air popper, pop bagged plain popcorn in the microwave. (Avoid highly buttered and salted versions.)
Combine sugar, butter, vanilla, baking soda and corn syrup in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes or until melted. Stir well.
Separate popcorn into two large bowls-the larger the better for ease of stirring. Pour half of the caramel mixture over each bowl of popcorn and stir well.
Alternate microwaving each bowl for one minute, sitrring thoroughly after each minute of microwaving to help evenly distribute the caramel over the popcorn. I like to stir one while the other bowl is morcrwaving and it usually only takes two times in the microwave to have the popcorn well coated.
Spread popcorn on wax paper or a dish lightly sprayed with nonstick spray until the candy is set (about 5 minutes.)
How to Make Caramel Popcorn Balls
If you want to make caramel popcorn balls simply form the popcorn into balls with your hands (spray with nonstick spray first!) before they are completely cool.
That’s it! Ten minutes to a sweet treat that most everyone will enjoy!
Want more microwave-made treats? You might also like this Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe and these Microwave Pralines too!
Please leave a comment and rate this recipe below if you try it, I love hearing from you!
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Easy Microwave Caramel Popcorn
- Total Time: 8 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Making classic Caramel Corn is easier than you think! This Microwave Caramel Corn is ready in less than 10 minutes, no candy thermometer required!
Ingredients
- 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
- Air pop popcorn.
- In a large microwaveable bowl combine sugar, vanilla, butter, baking soda, and corn syrup.
- Microwave for three minutes or until melted.
- Divide popcorn into two large bowls and pour half of the caramel over the popcorn in each bowl.
- Alternate microwaving popcorn one additional minute and stirring thoroughly until all of popcorn is coated-usually an additional two minutes.
- Spread caramel corn over wax paper or pan sprayed lightly with nonstick spray until candy is set.
- 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
Burned 1 bowl, was not as much popcorn in that bowl. On your second time in microwave , stir half way through. Was my fault. The first bowl was excellent. Set up nicely. I used microwave popcorn.
My corn did not cure. it is still sticky. Should
I put it in the oven? and what temp?
I’m not sure, I have not had that happen, I wouldn’t put it in the oven, perhaps in the fridge to harden?
I love it. I put it in the oven on low instead of microwaving it to spread the sauce. It burned the first batch so this turned out great.
We just madea batch and i can say with ALL certainty that this is the best microwave caramel popcorn recipe EVER! (Sorry mom and grandma lol) thank you for sharing this!
That’s awesome Wendy! I’m so glad you liked it, thanks so much for letting me know how it went!! I love that!!