Amish Caramel Corn Recipe
Few things capture the essence of homey comfort and irresistible snacking quite like Amish Caramel Corn. With its nostalgic aroma, crunchy caramel glaze, and sweet-salty balance, it’s the treat you reach for at family gatherings, movie nights, or just when you fancy a bite of something truly special. Simple to make yet absolutely stunning in flavor, this beloved recipe transforms everyday popcorn into a golden, melt-in-your-mouth delight that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Amish Caramel Corn is how it relies on a handful of pantry staples that come together to create something magical. Each ingredient serves a purpose—bringing richness, crunch, and that signature caramel color and flavor that’ll have everyone swooning.
- Popped popcorn: Freshly popped, fluffy popcorn forms the crunchy canvas for all that caramel goodness. About 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels will give you 4 quarts—enough to share (if you must).
- Dry roasted peanuts: These add a salty, nutty crunch that plays so well against the sweet caramel. Swap for walnuts or pecans if you like a twist!
- Brown sugar: Rich, molassesy brown sugar is the secret to deep, toffee-like notes in our caramel.
- Light corn syrup: This keeps the caramel smooth and stops it from crystallizing so your Amish Caramel Corn stays perfectly crisp.
- Salt: A little salt balances the sweet and boosts every flavor in the mix.
- Butter: Melted butter gives the caramel a rich, creamy texture—don’t even think about skipping it!
- Baking soda: A tiny bit makes the caramel airy and easy to coat over every piece of popcorn.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a toasty, sweet warmth that takes this snack over the top.
How to Make Amish Caramel Corn
Step 1: Prepare Your Popcorn and Nuts
Spread your freshly popped popcorn out onto a large, greased baking pan with sides—a big cookie sheet or a roasting pan works perfectly. If you’re feeling nutty, sprinkle the dry roasted peanuts or your chosen nuts evenly over the popcorn. Set this aside so it’s ready for its caramel bath!
Step 2: Mix Up the Caramel
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees (low and slow is key for that perfect crunch). In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Stir them together as you bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, making sure everything melts together into sweet, sticky harmony. Once bubbling, continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid any burning.
Step 3: Add Soda and Vanilla for Fluff and Flavor
Take the caramel off the heat and quickly stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. Watch as the mixture foams up—this is your cue that it’s aerating! Immediately pour the foamy caramel all over the popcorn and peanuts in your pan. Give everything a quick stir, but don’t worry if it’s not perfectly coated just yet; baking and a few stirs will do the rest.
Step 4: Bake and Stir
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes, give the mixture a good stir—you’ll notice the caramel getting smoother and coating the popcorn more evenly each time. This slow bake is what gives Amish Caramel Corn its legendary crunch.
Step 5: Cool and Break Apart
Once the baking time is up, line your countertop with waxed paper. Carefully dump the hot caramel corn onto the paper and use your hands or two spatulas to separate any clumps while it cools. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool completely, but once it’s crisp and no longer sticky, store in airtight containers or resealable bags. Trust me—they won’t stay full for long!
How to Serve Amish Caramel Corn
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over your freshly cooled Amish Caramel Corn adds just the right pop, or try drizzling with a little melted chocolate for an extra-indulgent touch. For the holidays, a handful of festive sprinkles makes it pop with color as well as flavor!
Side Dishes
While this treat shines all on its own, serve it alongside crisp apple slices, tangy cheese boards, or even mugs of hot cocoa for a full-on snack spread. It’s also the perfect pick-me-up treat for movie nights with friends or family gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your Amish Caramel Corn high in vintage bowls, portion into cute paper cones for parties, or scoop into mason jars tied with ribbon as adorable edible gifts. It even makes a playful topping for vanilla ice cream—the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep Amish Caramel Corn fresh and crunchy by storing it in airtight containers or heavy-duty resealable bags at room temperature. It’ll stay irresistible for up to 2 weeks—if it lasts that long!
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze Amish Caramel Corn! Place completely cooled corn in freezer-safe bags, squeeze out as much air as possible, and stash in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, and it’ll be as crunchy as the day you made it.
Reheating
If humidity softens your caramel corn, simply spread it on a baking sheet and pop into a 250-degree oven for about 10 minutes. Let it cool and you’ll be rewarded with that signature snap and crunch.
FAQs
Do I have to use light corn syrup, or can I substitute?
Light corn syrup helps prevent the caramel from crystallizing, keeping your Amish Caramel Corn gloriously smooth. If you prefer, you can use golden syrup or a mild honey, but note that the flavor and texture may be a little different.
Can I make Amish Caramel Corn without nuts?
Absolutely! Simply leave out the nuts if you have allergies or prefer a nut-free version. You’ll still get all the delicious caramel crunch, minus the extra nutty bite.
What’s the best way to pop popcorn for this recipe?
Stovetop is my favorite for big flavor and fluffy kernels, but air-popped popcorn works well too. Avoid microwave popcorn as added butters or flavors can interfere with the caramel and make it greasy.
Why do I have to stir the caramel corn so often while baking?
Stirring every 15 minutes helps ensure the caramel coats every kernel evenly and prevents clumps from forming. This step is also key for perfect, light, and crispy texture throughout the batch.
Can I double the recipe for a party?
Definitely! Just make sure your baking pans are large enough and try to spread the popcorn out in an even layer so every bite gets nicely coated. Bake in batches if needed for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried homemade Amish Caramel Corn, you are in for a real treat—one that’s sure to spark smiles and maybe even a few delicious memories. Go ahead and whip up a batch for your next gathering (or just for yourself); once you taste it, you’ll see why it’s a snack everyone begs you to make again and again!
Print
Amish Caramel Corn Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 20 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delightful recipe for Amish Caramel Corn combines the perfect mix of crunchy popcorn, roasted peanuts, and a rich caramel coating. It’s a classic treat that’s great for snacking or sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Popcorn:
- 4 quarts popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup corn kernels like Jolly Time)
Nuts:
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (other nuts like walnuts or pecans work well too)
Caramel Coating:
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Popcorn: Spread the popped popcorn and nuts on a greased baking pan. Set aside.
- Make the Caramel Mixture: In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla until light and foamy.
- Coat the Popcorn: Pour the caramel over the popcorn, stirring to coat evenly.
- Bake and Cool: Bake at 200 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on waxed paper to cool and store in airtight containers.
Notes
- You can customize this recipe by adding in your favorite nuts or even a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty contrast.
- Be careful when working with hot caramel, as it can cause burns. Make sure to supervise children around this treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Snack/Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Amish Caramel Corn, Caramel Popcorn Recipe, Homemade Caramel Corn
