This caramel corn is everything that Gooey Caramel Corn should be. It is sweet, sticky, vanilla enhanced goodness that you’ll want a glass of milk with. This is perfect for a crowd because it makes a bunch.
We are big popcorn fans over here. A few family favorites are Orange Dreamsicle Popcorn, Cheesy Chili Lime Popcorn, Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn with Chocolate are all big hits.
Gooey Caramel Corn
My childhood has some great memories in it. Some of my favorites involved this caramel corn recipe from my mom.
With a large family of our own we didn’t have friends over for parties very often. I remember one fall evening though my mom and dad let me have a whole bunch of kids from school come over for a wienie roast and night games. We were probably in seventh or eight grade, right at that age where you want to be out doing things but you are generally too young to be included in much. I remember having a lot of fun sitting around the fire, talking with friends, feeling so fancy and cool because I was having a huge “party”. And you know what else I remember… this popcorn! My mom made a big batch or two of it and had it laying out on our kitchen island. I remember the weather getting cool and everyone wondering inside to get handfuls of popcorn and chat with my mom, who was the kitchen attendant for the night, before their own parents came to pick them up.
My friends loved my mom and it was for more than just her caramel corn making skills. She was such a good listener and friend to them too. Now you all will love my mom too and it WILL be for her gooey caramel corn, though you have to make it yourself.
This caramel corn is everything that gooey caramel corn should be. It is sweet, sticky, vanilla enhanced goodness that you’ll want a glass of milk with. This is perfect for a crowd because it makes a bunch. Plan on it for a snack for movie night when the cousins are over or for your next teenage gathering. Heck, make it today and just eat tons of it! No matter the time, it’s so very good.
Can you see the dark little speckles?! Those shouldn’t be there (oops). I walked away from the caramel on the stove top, got distracted (blasted facebook!), and scorched the bottom. I just pored the caramel through a fine mesh sieve to get the biggest chunks of nasty burnt sugar out and it worked ok. If I would have burnt it a bit more the whole batch would have been ruined because that burnt flavor can really settle into the whole pan. Lesson learned – don’t walk away from your caramel while cooking!
I came across a recipe for some gooey caramel popcorn yesterday on pinterest. I clicked over and found the most adorable site ever: Kristen Duke Photography. Have you been there before?! I have tons of blogs that I like, but only a few that I’m just completely enamored by. Her site is so beautiful and happy! I’ve been trying to decide on a new direction for my own blog and I got a ton of inspiration from being on her site. My newest goal is to keep working on my photo skills… they really sell a blog post don’t they?!
While I was reading her recipe it reminded me of Mom’s so I had to get out Mom’s recipe, and then I had to make it. The ingredients are just the same, but the method is a bit different. She uses microwave popcorn too and I think all that salt and butter under the caramel sounds pretty good too.
How do you keep caramel corn from sticking together?
Stir the caramel corn as it cools to prevent it from sticking together in big clumps.
How long does caramel popcorn last?
If stored in an airtight container, it can last up to 3 months but it’s so good that there’s not a chance it will be around that long:)
Can you freeze homemade caramel popcorn?
If you properly store it in an airtight bag and then freeze it, the popcorn will be good months. 
Gooey Caramel Corn
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Description
This caramel corn is everything that Gooey Caramel Corn should be. It is sweet, sticky, vanilla enhanced goodness that you’ll want a glass of milk with. This is perfect for a crowd because it makes a bunch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 pound brown sugar
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounce)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Large brown paper bag 1/2 to 2/3 fill with popped popcorn (5 to 6 quarts)
Instructions
- Combine the corn syrup and the brown sugar in a medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the sweetened condensed milk, stir to combine, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Remove unpopped kernels from the popcorn and place all of the popcorn in a large bowl. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and stir to combine well. Pour the caramel corn onto a piece or two of waxed paper on the counter to cool. It will be sticky but get less sticky as it cools.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 338
- Sugar: 58.8g
- Sodium: 25.5mg
- Fat: 11.9g
- Carbohydrates: 59.4g
- Protein: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 32mg
Keywords: Dessert, Kid favorite, Caramel Popcorn
Want To Save This Recipe?
If you love popcorn, try these recipes too:
- Gooey Marshmallow Christmas Popcorn with Chocolate
- Pretty in Pink Valentine’s Popcorn
- Orange Dreamsicle Popcorn
- Cheesy Chili Lime Popcorn
- Cinnamon Caramel Corn with White Chocolate and Pecans
- How to Pop Popcorn in a Paper Bag in the Microwave
- 14 Sure-to-Please Sweet Popcorn Recipes
- White Chocolate Caramel Corn
- Salted Caramel Corn with White Chocolate
Enjoy this Gooey Caramel Corn from my home to yours! This is perfect for a crowd because it makes a bunch.
is this a 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk?
Yes! Thank you for asking, I’ll update that in the recipe.
Is this Gluten Free? I hope, I hope!!
From what I understand about GF foods it sure should be! Enjoy 🙂
We used to tease your mom that this recipe is the best thing she learned at college.
Aw I remember that party! Super fun! And I do love your mom! They were all like a second family to me! I miss all of you tons! And I’ve been wanting to make Carmel corn! Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks for your sweet words about my site! Happy to inspire;)
I also have fond memories of caramel pop corn. We used to get the microwaveable kind. And then they discontinued it and I’ve been thinking about recreating it the last few years! This looks awesome. 🙂