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Movie nights are a perfect time to enjoy delicious snacks, and salted caramel popcorn is an excellent choice. It’s sweet, salty, and crunchy—everyone’s favorite! Here’s a simple guide to making your own salted caramel popcorn at home for your next movie night.
Ingredients Needed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (plus extra for topping)
- 10 cups popped popcorn
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your salted caramel popcorn:
1. Prepare the Popcorn
Pretreat a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pop your popcorn and remove any unpopped kernels. Spread the popcorn evenly on the prepared sheet.
2. Make the Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Let it boil for 4-5 minutes without stirring.
3. Add Vanilla and Baking Soda
Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up—stir until smooth.
4. Coat the Popcorn
Pour the hot caramel sauce over the popcorn. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss and coat all the popcorn evenly.
5. Bake and Finish
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Spread the coated popcorn on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sea salt while still warm.
Enjoy Your Movie Night!
Let the popcorn cool slightly before breaking into clusters. Serve in bowls and enjoy your homemade salted caramel popcorn during your favorite movie. It’s a crowd-pleaser and adds a special touch to any movie night!