The BEST Chewy Caramel Popcorn
The yummiest Chewy Caramel Popcorn. Ever. Super easy to make, gooey, buttery and absolutely divine. You won’t want to stop eating it!
Chewy Caramel Popcorn
Popcorn is like another food group at our house, and there aren’t many nights that go by where someone isn’t asking if we can make some. We love it the traditional way, but adding caramel is just another yummy and delicious way to enjoy it. And at our house, the chewier and gooey-er the better! It’s definitely one of our very favorite family recipes, and always a hit whenever we serve it at parties or give it as gifts.
For this recipe, you really need a candy thermometer. If you don’t have one, you can get one pretty inexpensively just about anywhere—but make sure it’s for candy, and not meat. You can try the cold water method instead (put a little bit of the mixture into a cup of cold water to see how firm it is), but I think it’s a lot trickier to get right if you haven’t done it a lot.
It only takes about 10 minutes to make, but it’s easy–just add the ingredients and stir! I prefer to use air popped popcorn, but if you don’t have a popcorn popper, you can use microwave popcorn instead. It will have a slightly different taste, but it’s still good. My mouth is seriously watering as I’m writing this–YUM!
Ingredients
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 3/4 c. granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 c. corn syrup
- 16 c. popped popcorn
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except popcorn) in large, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, making sure to STIR constantly. If not, it will burn, so keep stirring! Keep stirring as it boils until it reaches the soft ball stage, 234 degrees on your candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and immediately pour over the popcorn. Stir until coated. Let cool, then enjoy!!!
Movie nights will never be the same! I also like to package it up in the holidays–plastic treat bags with holiday ribbon–and give to friends, teachers, and neighbors. It’s perfect for gift-giving, parties, and at home with your family. ENJOY!!
Other recipes you might like…
- Easy Bundt Cake Recipe
- Cozy Taco Soup (Stovetop or Crockpot)
- Homemade Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Cream
- Jumbo Monster Cookies
Kierste Wade is a published author, blogger, and mom to six. With more than 20 years DIY and project experience, she has been sharing ideas on her blog since 2009. Focusing on simple and doable projects, she loves to share attainable ideas for all things home, holidays, and family. Kierste has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, HGTV, American Farmhouse Magazine (print and online) Taste of Home, Country Living, and more.
I seriously can’t wait to try this! We are HUGE popcorn fans at our house and this will just be one more way we can enjoy it! Thank you for sharing!
We are huge popcorn fans too! I think it’s another food group around here, lol. You’ll have to let me know what you all think! xoxo
Right now! That popcorn looks amazing. I never had any that was chewy on purpose!
LOL!! Chewy on purpose is the only way to go! :)
What altitude do you live at or are you at sea level…so I can adjust the recipe since I live at 4,000 feet? thanks
We live at sea level! xo
Love this recipe!! Thank u so much!!
You are so welcome!!! xo
4/3/14…..made this and it is so so yummy. I was not sure about the soft and chewy but I actually think I like it better now that I have tried it.
Thank you for sharing this.
Yay! So glad you liked it! Soft and chewy is the best. :) xoxo
I want to make this recipe but i have one question is it 16 cups of popped popcorn?
Yes, 16 cups of already popped popcorn!
any idea how long this caramel corn will last before it sugars?
It never lasts too long, lol. However, I think it would be okay for 2-3 days. xoxo
My daughter and I just made this today….she enjoyed helping and it tastes great! There was more ‘sauce’ than expected and it will totally cover all of your popcorn. This is not a bad thing as there are many recipes out there that barely cover…so those that like a lot of gooey caramel on your popcorn – this is it!!
Yes, all that caramel-y goodness is why I love it. :) So glad you did too!!! xo
We love popcorn as well, however we like the hulless popcorn…can you use that or will it get too soggy??
I’m not sure–I’ve never used that kind of popcorn before. It’s worth a try! :) Maybe make a smaller batch, so you can eat it in one sitting, and then you can test it out. I might add a little less caramel to a little more popcorn too. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!! xoxo
The first direction said to combine *all* ingredients in the saucepan, which I did, but it looks like I should have left the popcorn out :(
So sorry, Carrie! :( I changed the recipe so it would make more sense!
I can’t wait to try your popcorn in a bag as well as your Chewy Carmel Popcorn recipes! I’ve never seen a recipe including sweetend condensed milk for Carmel Popcorn. Knowing the delicious Carmel sweetend condensed milk makes by itself, I can’t wait to try it with all the yummy other ingredients & taste test! A basket including some popcorn in a bag, your recipe & most ingredients, with a family book or movie would be a great cozy Christmas gift. Thank you for sharing! New to your site & looking forward to discovering more recipes!
The sweetened condensed milk makes it so creamy and delicious! You’ll have to try it and let me know what you think! :)
Do you have a suggestion about pouring caramel over the popcorn? 16 cups is a lot of popcorn. Do you separate out into bowls and then pour? Or do you just have 1 huge bowl.
I do one huge bowl!! Just pour it over the popcorn and use a large wooden spoon to stir until covered! Enjoy!! xoxo
I am about to give this recipe a try, it looks so delish!! Can you package it up as gifts? I am just wondering how long it will stay fresh.
You can give it as gifts! I would give it within a day of making it–maybe two–but I wouldn’t go past that. Popcorn balls are also a fun way to give it! If you’re packaging it up, I would add even more popcorn, so it’s not quite as gooey. Yummy!! Now I want to go make some!!!
I made this; best Carmel corn!! I made it again and added marshmallows!! Was very good
Ooooh, marshmallows sound YUM!! So glad you loved it too!!! xoxo
Do you white or golden corn syrup?
I use white corn syrup!
Is there anyway to make this recipe without using corn syrup at all? Can possibly honey be substituted?
Honestly, I have no idea. I’m so sorry! I’ve never boiled honey that long to see what the consistency would be. You could try it in a very small batch to see if it works–and if you do, let me know!