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Harvest Caramel Corn

Harvest Caramel Corn coats crunchy popcorn in buttery homemade caramel and tops it with festive candies for a delightful sweet-salty snack.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 10 cups
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Desserts
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Popcorn Base
  • 10 cups popped popcorn Use any preferred method of popping.
  • Salt to taste Salt Balances out the sweetness.
Caramel Ingredients
  • 1 cup salted butter Use unsalted butter if preferred, adjusting the salt.
  • 1 cup light brown sugar Provides sweetness and color.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Enhances flavor.
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda Creates a light, airy caramel texture.
Candy Toppings
  • 1 cup Mini Rolos or regular Rolos For added sweetness.
  • 1 cup M&M candies Use a mix of brown, yellow, red, and orange for a festive touch.
  • 1 cup Pretzel M&M’s Adds a salty crunch.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pop 10 cups of popcorn using your preferred method. Remove any unpopped kernels and transfer the popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle a bit of salt over the top and toss gently.
Making the Caramel
  1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the salted butter completely, swirling occasionally.
  2. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves completely, creating a smooth mixture.
  3. Increase the heat slightly and bring to a low boil, allowing it to boil undisturbed for four minutes.
  4. After four minutes, stir in the vanilla extract and continue to stir for about one minute.
  5. Remove from heat and add the baking soda, stirring quickly to watch the mixture foam up.
Coating the Popcorn
  1. Pour the hot caramel gradually over the popcorn, tossing gently to coat evenly.
  2. Transfer the coated popcorn onto a lined baking sheet, spreading it out into a single layer to cool.
Adding Toppings
  1. Once slightly cooled, sprinkle the Rolos, M&M's, and pretzel M&M's evenly over the popcorn.
  2. Let everything cool completely before serving.

Notes

Avoid stirring during the boil to ensure proper caramel development. Store in an airtight container to keep it crunchy. Can be made ahead of time.