Caramel Puffcorn Recipe

Introduction

Caramel Puffcorn is a delightful sweet snack that combines light, airy puffcorn with rich, buttery caramel. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for movie nights, parties, or anytime you want a crunchy, caramel-coated indulgence.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) puffcorn
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Step 2: Place the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Warm over medium heat while continuously stirring.
3. Step 3: Once the mixture starts to lightly bubble, set the timer for 2 minutes. Keep stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Step 4: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda until evenly combined.
5. Step 5: Pour the puffcorn into a large bowl or pan. Pour the caramel mixture over the puffcorn and stir to coat every piece thoroughly.
6. Step 6: Spread the coated puffcorn evenly on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
7. Step 7: Bake for 40 minutes, stirring the puffcorn every 10 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent burning.
8. Step 8: After baking, spread the caramel puffcorn on wax paper. Break it into pieces and let it cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or almonds before baking.
• Use salted butter to balance the sweetness with a slight savory note.
• Store leftover caramel puffcorn in an airtight container to keep it crisp longer.

Storage

Store caramel puffcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep it away from moisture to maintain crispness. To refresh softness, warm gently in a low oven for a few minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use popcorn instead of puffcorn?

Yes, popcorn can be used, but puffcorn offers a lighter texture that absorbs caramel differently. If using popcorn, be sure to use fresh, tender popcorn for best results.

Why do I need to stir the caramel while cooking?

Stirring prevents the caramel from burning and ensures the sugar dissolves evenly, creating a smooth caramel sauce that coats the puffcorn perfectly.

Caramel Puffcorn Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 128 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 8 cups 1x

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Description

This Caramel Puffcorn recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional caramel popcorn using airy puffcorn coated in a rich, buttery caramel glaze. Perfectly crispy and sweet, this snack is easy to prepare and baked to perfection, making it ideal for parties, movie nights, or anytime sweet cravings strike.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Snack Base

• 1 (8 ounce) puffcorn

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the caramel-coated puffcorn.
2. Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and light corn syrup. Warm over medium heat, stirring continuously to blend all ingredients smoothly.
3. Simmer Caramel: Once the mixture just begins to bubble lightly, set a timer for 2 minutes and keep stirring to prevent burning and achieve a smooth caramel.
4. Add Baking Soda: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the baking soda to aerate the caramel mixture.
5. Coat Puffcorn: Place the puffcorn in a large bowl or pan. Pour the hot caramel over the puffcorn and stir thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the caramel glaze.
6. Prepare for Baking: Spread the coated puffcorn onto two baking sheets lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
7. Bake Puffcorn: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to evenly bake the caramel puffcorn without burning.
8. Cool and Serve: After baking, transfer the caramel puffcorn onto wax paper, break it into bite-sized pieces, and allow it to cool completely before serving to achieve maximum crispness.

Notes

• Stirring continuously during caramel preparation prevents burning and ensures smooth texture.
• Baking at a low temperature allows the caramel to harden slowly, creating a crispy coating.
• Use parchment paper on baking sheets to avoid sticking and ease cleanup.
• Allow the puffcorn to cool completely for the best crunch and to prevent it from clumping together.
• Store caramel puffcorn in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Caramel Puffcorn, caramel snack, sweet puffcorn, baked caramel corn, homemade caramel puffcorn, party snack