Description
These Caramel Popcorn Balls are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and chewy. Made with freshly popped popcorn and a gooey homemade caramel sauce, they’re a fun treat for holidays, movie nights, or anytime you want something a little nostalgic. Easy to make and great for gifting too!
Ingredients
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10 cups popped popcorn (plain, unsalted)
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/2 cup light corn syrup
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1/2 cup unsalted butter
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Optional: cooking spray or butter for greasing hands
Instructions
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Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
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In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt.
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Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
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Let it boil for 2–3 minutes without stirring.
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
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Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn and quickly stir to coat all the kernels evenly.
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Allow the mixture to cool slightly until it’s safe to handle.
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Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray, then shape the popcorn into balls (about 3 inches wide).
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Place the balls on a sheet of wax paper and let them cool completely to set.
Notes
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Use plain popcorn to avoid overly salty or flavored results.
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You can add mix-ins like mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts for variety.
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Wrap each ball in plastic wrap for easy storage or gifting.
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For a festive twist, add sprinkles before the caramel sets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg