Microwave Caramel Popcorn

A hand crabbing a piece of caramel popcorn from a white bowl

4.6 Stars (16 Reviews)

Yield: 4 quarts caramel corn

prep time: 10

cook time: 5

total time: 15

Microwave Caramel Popcorn is ready in just 15 minutes, with a handful of ingredients, a microwave, and a brown paper bag. A quick & easy homemade caramel popcorn recipe - no candy thermometer or baking required!

Ingredients

4 quarts popped corn
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup light corn syrup
½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more sprinkled on at the end, if desired
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

Place popped corn in a grocery-size brown paper bag. Set aside.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl (a bowl with a spout works great), combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. It will be boiling. Stir in vanilla, and then the baking soda, until combined. Immediately drizzle caramel mixture over popped corn in the paper bag. Fold top of paper bag over a couple times to secure tightly, then shake well to evenly coat the popcorn.
Set bag in microwave and cook for 1-1/2 minutes. Remove bag, shake again, and then microwave for another 1-1/2 minutes. Pour caramel corn out onto a rimmed cookie sheet. Spread out caramel corn, breaking up any clumps if desired. Immediately sprinkle with a bit more kosher salt, if desired. Let cool completely.

Notes

Note: Microwave power can vary quite a bit from microwave to microwave. Adjust cook time accordingly.

Adapted slightly from Mom’s recipe box.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 506kcal Carbohydrates: 93g Protein: 10g Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 8g Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 31mg Sodium: 175mg Fiber: 7g Sugar: 44g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

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