Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

Home » Snack Recipes » Easy Caramel Corn Recipe with Karo Syrup

by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 6 Comments

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This easy Karo Syrup Caramel Popcorn recipe came from a fellow viewer that had almost given up hope on finding this recipe. Thanks to Jennifer we all can make easy Caramel corn.

Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (1)

Table of Contents

Easy Recipe for Caramelized Popcorn

Caramel popcorn can be tricky to make, but you can use this super easy method. Corn syrup makes this recipe easier because you don’t have to make the caramel sauce which involves a lot of time and a candy thermometer. So you can enjoy caramel popcorn with ease. This is one of those great recipes you can use during the holidays.

Do you want an extra crunch in your caramel corn? It’s simple to do. Just add in mixed nuts. I know you are going to love this easy caramel popcorn recipe.

Why this is the best recipe for Caramel Popcorn with Karo Syrup

Are you looking for a recipe that is tried and true? This recipe has been in my family for over 45 years. This is the exact recipe we would make every holiday season to stuff in our boxes of goodies. This recipe is easy to make, and you will soon enjoy the best ever homemade caramel popcorn.

Recipe Ingredients

This is what you need to make Karo Syrup Caramel Popcorn:

  • Popcorn
  • Mixed Nuts (optional)
  • Brown Sugar
  • Karo Syrup
  • Margarine (or butter)
  • Salt
  • Vanilla
  • Baking Soda
Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (2)

How to Make Caramel Popcorn

All you have to do is make a simple caramel coating on the stovetop, toss coating over popcorn, bake, and then enjoy it!

Here are the recipe steps:

  1. Combine popcorn and nuts in a large shallow roasting pan.
  2. Place popcorn in the oven to warm at 250 degrees.
  3. Place brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan.
    Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (3)
  4. Stirring constantly, cook until the syrup reaches the soft-ball stage (234–240°F).
  5. Stop stirring syrup, boil for 5 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.
  7. Pour caramel over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat.
  8. Bake at 250 degrees in a large roasting pan for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  9. Cool and break apart with a wooden spoon.
  10. Store tightly covered.
Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (4)

Frequently asked quesitons

What is Karo Syrup?

It is a brand of corn syrup. There are two varieties of Karo syrup, one is light corn syrup and it has a light color. Karo brand has a darker one that contains refiners sugar, which adds some lovely notes of molasses to the syrup.

Why is my caramel corn not crunchy?

If you have made your caramel corn, and it is not crunchy it means the caramel mixture did not cook to the right temperature. Be sure to buy a candy thermometer and use it when cooking. Your caramel mixture should reach 285 degrees F, at this point you will want to boil the mixture for about five minutes.

Is it necessary to bake the Caramel Popcorn?

Yes, this helps to caramelize the sugar, it also deepens the flavor. Upon baking the caramel popcorn you will get delicious notes of butterscotch, caramel, and it helps to crispen the popcorn.

How to store caramel corn

Moisture is the enemy of homemade caramel corn. After you remove it from the oven, make sure that you let it cool to room temperature. Then store it in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. If using a plastic bag be sure to squeeze out as much air as you can out of the bag.

If air and humidity get into the caramel corn it will become sticky and it will lose its crispiness.

How long will this Easy Caramel Popcorn last?

This caramel popcorn will last for up to 90 days. It may last a little longer, but it will depend mostly on how well you can keep air from getting to the caramel corn.

I hope you give this classic caramel popcorn recipe a try! I know you are going to love this nostalgic treat, it is perfect for when you have a sweet tooth.

Love popcorn? Try these recipes:

  • Cheetos Popcorn
  • Crunch and Munch
  • Curry Popcorn
  • DIY Kettle Corn
  • How to Make Popcorn in an Instant Pot

Favorite Snack Recipes

  • Avocado Fries
  • Cracker Mix
  • Garlic Ranch Pretzels
  • Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Recipe
  • Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats with Chocolate
  • Reese’s Snack Mix
  • Taco Bell Cinnamon Bites
  • White Trash Candy

Check out more of my easy snack recipes and the best game day food here on CopyKat!

Easy Karo Syrup Caramel Popcorn

This caramel popcorn recipe came from Karo, the corn syrup company.We have been making it for years.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Karo Syrup Caramel Popcorn

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Calories: 653kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 3 quarts popcorn popped
  • 3 cup unsalted mixed nuts (optional)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup margarine or butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  • In a large shallow roasting pan combine popcorn and nuts. Place in a 250 degree oven while preparing glaze.

  • In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, add sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt.

  • Stirring constantly, cook until the syrup reaches the soft-ball stage (234–240°F).

  • Stop stirring syrup, boil for 5 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.

  • Pour caramel over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat.

  • Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

  • Cool, break apart, and store tightly covered.

Nutrition

Calories: 653kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 510mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 4.5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katrina

    Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (7)
    Wow!!! So good and easy! I added 1/2 tsp green apple flavoring and it turned out perfect!

    Reply

  2. cookie clicker

    Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (8)
    Loved this, reminded me of what my grandmother used to make.

    Reply

  3. Melody Lee

    Sounds very similar to how Mamaw made popcorn balls for us granddaughters at Halloween. Super delicious.

    Reply

  4. Christine

    Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (9)
    Thank you for this recipe, Stephanie! The only thing I did differently was, I put the Popcorn in a very large bowl and poured the glaze in, mixed together until coated, then put it in the baking pan. It came out perfectly!!

    Reply

  5. Cayote1998

    Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (10)
    Sounds like a great project for yound and old. I hope it works

    Reply

    • Stephanie Manley

      I hope you enjoyed this one.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Homemade Caramel Corn with Karo Syrup - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why is my homemade caramel corn soggy? ›

Do I have to bake the caramel corn? Yes. Baking the caramel-coated popcorn helps to set the caramel sauce. By skipping this step, the caramel corn will become soggy.

What is a good substitute for corn syrup in caramel? ›

The best corn syrup substitutes for candy making are brown rice syrup and golden syrup.

Can I substitute honey for corn syrup in caramel corn? ›

It's just one of those recipes you have to try for yourself. These days, I prefer using honey to sugar or corn syrup whenever I make my caramel corn.

Why is my caramel popcorn not crunchy? ›

If you prefer chewy caramel corn, let it sit until the caramel has hardened. If you prefer crunchy caramel corn, Preheat oven to 250 F. and bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing occasionally. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, break the larger clumps into smaller pieces if desired.

How do you fix caramel that is too soft? ›

Here's how to make soft caramel harder: Put the caramel back in the pot, add 2-3 tablespoons of water, and remelt the caramel. Cook the caramel until it reaches the correct temperature, and pour it back into a foil-lined pan.

Can I substitute maple syrup for corn syrup in caramel? ›

Maple Syrup

However, if you are looking for something similar that will impart sweetness and a depth of maple flavor, this is a great alternative you most likely already have on hand. Use a 1:1 swap for corn syrup in baked goods, but avoid using this swap for candy making.

Why add corn syrup to caramel? ›

Why do I add corn syrup? Corn syrup acts as an "interfering agent" in this and many other candy recipes. It contains long chains of glucose molecules that tend to keep the sucrose molecules in the candy syrup from crystallizing. Lots of sucrose crystals would results in grainy caramels.

What is a substitute for molasses in caramel? ›

The nine best replacements for molasses are:
  1. Honey.
  2. Maple syrup.
  3. Dark corn syrup.
  4. Sorghum syrup.
  5. Golden syrup.
  6. Brown sugar.
  7. Black treacle.
  8. Simple syrup.
Nov 27, 2022

What is another name for caramel corn? ›

Caramel corn or caramel popcorn (toffee popcorn in the UK) is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick.

Can you substitute Karo syrup for honey? ›

Karo® Pancake Syrup can be equally substituted for maple syrup, honey or molasses in most recipes and when used as a topping. Recipes using Karo® Pancake Syrup will not be as sweet, and the finished products will have different flavor characteristics.

How much honey do I substitute for corn syrup? ›

You can substitute an equal amount of honey for light corn syrup in many recipes. Like maple syrup, honey is not the best choice for making candies or caramel because it may crystallize. However, it is a good option for making frostings, baked goods, jams, and jellies. Be sure to opt for raw honey whenever possible.

What does Karo syrup do for adults? ›

Karo is a brand of corn syrup that serves as a popular home remedy for constipation. While it can help prevent or treat constipation, it is not a suitable remedy for children. In this article, we examine the use of Karo syrup as a constipation remedy for adults and children.

What is the main ingredient in Karo syrup? ›

Karo dark corn syrup is a mixture of corn syrup and a small amount of refiners' syrup (a cane sugar product with a molasses-like flavor). Caramel flavor, sodium benzoate (a preservative), salt, and caramel color are added. Dark corn syrup has a rich brown color and distinctive flavor.

What's the difference between corn syrup and Karo syrup? ›

Karo Syrup IS corn syrup. However, Karo does not contain high fructose corn syrup, the ingredient that has the medical community up in arms. While research is still ongoing, limit fructose consumption.

How to keep caramel popcorn from getting soggy? ›

How Do I Get My Popcorn Crunchy and Not Soggy? The longer you cook the syrup (the mixture of sugar and water the forms the base of the caramel sauce), the crunchier your popcorn will be. For very crunchy popcorn (my favorite!), stop cooking when you see the first wisps of smoke coming from the sugar mixture.

How to fix soggy caramel corn? ›

If you like gooey/sticky caramel corn, give it a sprinkle with a good pinch of kosher salt, let it cool and start eating! If you like it crunchy, keep going. To make crunchy caramel popcorn, pour it (pile it) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

How do you make soggy caramel popcorn crispy again? ›

He did follow the original oven method, though, which means reheating the popcorn at 250°F for 5 minutes. He took the once-soggy movie theater popcorn out of the air fryer, and it was perfectly crunchy again.

Why is my corn soggy? ›

If you leave the cobs in boiling water for too long, the corn's starch content will absorb too much water and its pectin will dissolve, yielding kernels with a soggy texture.

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