Caramel Corn with Sweetened Recipe
This Caramel Corn with Sweetened Condensed Milk is a rich, buttery, and irresistibly sweet snack combining classic caramel corn with the creamy sweetness of condensed milk. It’s perfect for movie nights or whenever you crave a crunchy, sugary treat.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 8 cups of caramel corn 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Microwave and stovetop caramelization
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Popcorn
- 3 standard bags of white microwave popcorn or 1 cup of popped popcorn kernels
Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Popcorn: Pop the microwave popcorn according to package instructions or pop 1 cup of kernels on the stovetop. Remove any unpopped kernels and place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl, ensuring it has enough room for coating.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the packed brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Let it boil for 5 minutes without stirring to allow the caramel to thicken.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly to blend the flavor.
- Combine and Coat: Immediately pour the hot caramel sauce over the popped popcorn in the bowl. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, gently stir and fold the popcorn to evenly coat each piece with caramel.
- Cool and Set: Spread the coated popcorn onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat in a single layer. Allow it to cool completely until the caramel hardens and becomes crisp, about 30 minutes.
- Serve: Once cooled, break the caramel corn into clusters and serve. Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
Notes
- For an extra crunch, you can bake the caramel-coated popcorn at 250°F (120°C) for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Be careful when handling hot caramel; it can cause burns.
- Use good-quality butter and brown sugar for the best flavor.
- This recipe stores well in an airtight container for up to one week.
- You can add nuts or chocolate chips after coating for a twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: caramel corn, popcorn recipe, sweet snack, caramel popcorn with condensed milk, easy caramel corn