How to make caramel popcorn balls without corn syrup

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Our Easy Homemade Caramel Corn is a family favorite. It is super yummy and super easy. And you don’t need Corn Syrup for this recipe.

We’ve tried a lot of recipes looking for good, Easy Homemade Caramel Corn that doesn’t use corn syrup.  We’ve finally found one that we love.  This popcorn tastes amazing … buttery and caramel-y just the way it should.  And no corn syrup required!  And it could not be easier to make.  It has quickly risen up the list of most requested family treats!

Start with approximately 10 cups of popcorn. Make sure you get out all of the un-popped kernels.  You don’t want to bite down on one of those!  We pop our popcorn on the stove (you can find our directions on How to Make Perfect Popcorn here) but you can use air-popped or microwave.

Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add 1 cup of light brown sugar and stir until thoroughly mixed.

Stirring continuously, bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a boil on medium heat. When it reaches a boil allow it to cook for 5 minutes without stirring on medium heat.  Add the 2 tsp. of vanilla at the 4 minute mark and mix.

At the 5 minute mark, add the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.  This will cause the caramel to change colors and foam up a bit.  This is the chemical reaction that you want. The bubbling effect of the baking soda will aerate the caramel and make it lighter and smoother and therefore easier to coat the popcorn.

Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn.  Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until the kernels are all covered.

Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil or a silpat liner.

Allow the Easy Homemade Caramel Corn to cool prior to serving.

Our family loves this popcorn so it has never lasted longer than a day at our house.  This popcorn definitely tastes best right after it is made but will keep for a few days in an airtight container.

This Easy Homemade Caramel Corn is super delicious – buttery with a distinct yummy caramel taste. And it could not be easier to make.  Make up a batch for your family, you won’t be sorry!

Ingredients

• 10 Cups of Popped Popcorn
• Salt
• 1 Cup Butter (Sweet Cream Salted)
• 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 2 tsp. Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

Instructions

1. Make popcorn.
2. Salt popcorn and set aside.
3. Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Add 1 cup of brown sugar and stir until thoroughly mixed.
5. Stirring continuously, bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a boil on medium heat.
6. When it reaches a boil allow it to cook for 5 minutes without stirring on medium heat.
7. Add the 2 tsp. of vanilla at the 4 minute mark and stir to mix.
8. Continue to boil for one addition minute and then add the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
9. Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn. Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until the kernels are all covered.
10. Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil or a silpat liner.
11. Let the popcorn cool.
12. Serve.