• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Bless This Mess > Recipes

    Gooey Caramel Corn

    Published: Apr 5, 2013 · Modified: Dec 16, 2019 by Melissa · 10 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Caramel corn in a white bowl

    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.

    caramel corn recipe without baking, caramel popcorn recipe, stove top caramel corn recipe, easy caramel corn, caramel corn with corn syrup

    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.

    caramel corn recipe from momma, caramel popcorn recipe, stove top caramel corn recipe, easy caramel corn, caramel corn with corn syrup

    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. caramel popcorn recipe, stove top caramel corn recipe, easy caramel corn, caramel corn with corn syrup

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Gooey Caramel Corn


    • Author: Melissa Griffiths-Bless this Mess
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    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

    Scale
    • 1 cup corn syrup
    • 1 pound brown sugar
    • 1 stick (½ cup) butter
    • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounce)
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • Large brown paper bag ½ to ⅔ fill with popped popcorn (5 to 6 quarts)

    Instructions

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 5 minutes
    • 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

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    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.

    Related Posts:

    • Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn with Chocolate
      Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn with Chocolate
    • Cheater Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake
      Cheater Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake
    • Pumpkin Caramel Spice Waffles with Caramel Maple Syrup
      Pumpkin Caramel Spice Waffles with Caramel Maple Syrup
    « Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
    Confessions »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Andrea

      June 24, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      Can you tell me how much unpopped corn kernels it takes? Hard to guess what 5-6 quarts of popped is...
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        June 25, 2020 at 2:44 pm

        About 3/4 of a cup!

    2. hbubble

      December 16, 2019 at 9:41 am

      is this a 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk?

      Reply
      • Melissa

        December 16, 2019 at 9:46 am

        Yes! Thank you for asking, I'll update that in the recipe.

    3. Patty

      September 28, 2013 at 5:57 pm

      Is this Gluten Free? I hope, I hope!!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        September 28, 2013 at 7:02 pm

        From what I understand about GF foods it sure should be! Enjoy 🙂

    4. Grandma jenkins

      September 27, 2013 at 7:41 pm

      We used to tease your mom that this recipe is the best thing she learned at college.

      Reply
    5. Summer Pickering

      September 27, 2013 at 7:23 pm

      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!

      Reply
    6. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke

      April 05, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Thanks for your sweet words about my site! Happy to inspire;)

      Reply
    7. Erin @ Texanerin Baking

      April 05, 2013 at 9:48 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Homemade Chicken Nuggets
    • Hot Water Cornbread
    • Chicken Lo Mein
    • Fried Wonton Recipe
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter