Amish Caramel Corn Recipe Melts In Your Mouth (2024)

Last Updated on: February 19, 2024

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Amish Caramel Corn Recipe Melts In Your Mouth (1)

The Amish make the best, melt-in-your-mouth caramel corn. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this simple holiday treat in about 1 hour.

This is my go-to recipe for every Thanksgiving and Christmas get-together. Homemade Caramel Corn is a classic. It’s also makes for an excellent gift. I like to fill up those big decorative popcorn cans and hand these out to family, friends, teachers, the bus driver, you name it.

Everyone loves caramel corn. In fact, I often have to hide it around the house. Otherwise, my family would devour it in just a few days.

You can also store it in Ziploc baggies and send it off with the kids in their lunchbox. Pretty sure this gets me some extra hugs around the holidays.

How long can caramel corn be stored?

Popcorn is one of those foods that seems to last forever! In fact, popcorn (including caramel corn) doesn’t spoil or go bad. It just loses its flavor and crispiness over time. But when you store it in an airtight container, it should last up to 3 months.

But if you’re like our family, it’s usually gone within a week. You can also fill up some Ziploc bags and pass them out as gifts.

Why is my caramel corn so sticky?

If you find that your caramel corn is excessively sticky, it hasn’t been cooked properly. Temperature and timing are very important when it comes to making the perfect batch of homemade caramel corn.

Be sure to bring it to the correct temperature. This ensures that when it cools, it dries as a shiny coating rather than a sticky sauce. Also, be sure to take your time when you bring the mixture to a boil. If you’re like me, I tend to get a little impatient. But it’s important that you keep the heat on medium and allow it to come to a boil naturally. You want a nice SLOW bubbling boil.

Tips & Tricks for Making Homemade Caramel Corn

If you use one of those large disposable aluminum pans, clean up is soooo much easier.

You can also make this with molasses instead of light corn syrup, it tastes just like the old-time Cracker Jack caramel popcorn.

Or you can use maple syrup instead of corn syrup if you prefer. Both are equally delish!

I also like to use 1 bag of plain popped corn and 1 bag of regular salty popcorn to give it a sweet-savory combo.

By using this recipe as a base, you have lots of options for mixing up the flavors! You can even add a bit of cayenne pepper to make it spicy.

This rich, buttery, sweet sensation is better than any store-bought caramel corn at a fraction of the price.

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Amish Caramel Corn Recipe Melts In Your Mouth (2)

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Amish Caramel Corn Recipe Melts In Your Mouth

Servings

28

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

minute

Calories

240

kcal

Ingredients

  • 7 quarts plain popped corn

  • 2 cups slivered almonds (Can also use dry roasted nuts, honey rosated peanuts, cashews, Macadamia nuts, or pecans)

  • 2 cups brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 cup butter

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • Dash of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Cook 2 bags of popcorn in the microwave. Two 3.5oz bags of microwave popcorn equals 7 quarts of popped corn.
  • Place the popped popcorn into (2) shallow greased baking pans. Sprinkle the slivered almonds or nuts of your choice on top. Set aside. You can also use roasting pans if you prefer, which makes it a bit easier to stir without any popcorn falling out.
  • Preheat the oven to 240 degrees F. While the oven is heating, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Note: It’s important not to get in a hurry and bring everything to a boil too quickly. You want a nice SLOW bubbling boil.
  • Once the mixture begins to boil, continue boiling for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the baking pans. Stir to coat.
  • Bake for 1 hour. But be sure to remove them from the oven and give them a good stir every 15 minutes.
  • After it’s done baking, line the countertop with waxed paper. Pour the popcorn out onto the waxed paper. Allow the popcorn to cool completely.
  • Store in airtight containers. It can be kept for up to 3 months.
Amish Caramel Corn Recipe Melts In Your Mouth (3)

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Amish Caramel Corn Recipe Melts In Your Mouth (2024)

FAQs

Why is my homemade caramel corn soggy? ›

Baking the caramel-coated popcorn helps to set the caramel sauce. By skipping this step, the caramel corn will become soggy. Why is my caramel corn soggy? Caramel corn will taste soft and chewy right out of the oven.

What happens if you forgot the baking soda in caramel corn? ›

Baking soda is what makes caramel corn chewy with a bit of crunch and gives it the classic brittle texture. The baking soda also helps the mixture to increase in volume which ensures it covers all of the popcorn. It's an essential ingredient and without it you'll likely find the texture of the caramel corn to be off.

Why is my caramel popcorn bitter? ›

Overheating the mixture. Be very careful as you heat your caramel. Follow the recipe carefully, and never melt your caramel on your stove's highest setting—it will cause the caramel to scorch and taste burnt. Once it gets a burnt or bitter flavor, it can't be saved.

What can I use instead of baking soda in caramel? ›

The Best Baking Soda Substitute: Baking Powder

Baking powder is, without a doubt, the best baking soda substitute you can find. They're not the same thing (baking soda is about three times stronger), but they are both leavening agents that work in similar ways.

How do you make caramel more liquidy? ›

To thin caramel, just add some cream or water over heat. Melt caramel loaves in the oven. You can also add corn syrup or lemon juice to caramel sauces to prevent them from crystallizing.

Why is my caramel corn not crunchy? ›

If you prefer chewy caramel corn, let it sit until the caramel has hardened. If you prefer crunchy caramel corn, Preheat oven to 250 F. and bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing occasionally. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, break the larger clumps into smaller pieces if desired.

Why did my caramel corn come out chewy? ›

A granule of sugar, over-mixing, or uncooperative clumps of sea salt can turn caramel from a glossy, shiny confection into a dull grainy heap of chewy, brown sugar crystals. Candy making, or in this case caramel popcorn making, involves a significant amount of chemistry.

Does Amish popcorn taste different? ›

Amish Country Popcorn sells four colorful varieties: Red, Purple, Blue, and Midnight Blue. Each colored one has its own unique taste. Many people describe the Blue and Midnight Blue as sweet and the Red and Purple as savory.

Why is Amish popcorn better? ›

Amish Country Popcorn is never genetically modified and it never includes additives or hidden ingredients -- so you can really feel good about what you're putting in your body. Just one serving of popcorn equals about 70% of your recommended daily intake of whole grains, so snack away to fulfill your needs for the day!

Why do you put water in the microwave before popcorn? ›

Try microwaving a glass of water first to help create a humid environment for your kernels. This will help the kernels remain tender, rather than tough.

Why won't my caramel melt? ›

Instead of stirring, you gently swirl the melted sugar around in the pan to keep it moving and avoid burn spots. The agitation of stirring can cause the sugar to grab on to any unmelted crystals on the sides of the pan, and crystallization, or chunks of sugar, form in your caramel and they won't melt.

Why is my homemade caramel corn sticky? ›

If your caramel corn came out sticky then, unfortunately, it has not been cooked properly. It is very important to bring the caramel mixture to a boil and boil it for 5 minutes. This helps make sure it dries as a shiny coating during the cooling process instead of a sticky mess.

Why is my caramel corn not shiny? ›

A granule of sugar, over-mixing, or uncooperative clumps of sea salt can turn caramel from a glossy, shiny confection into a dull grainy heap of chewy, brown sugar crystals. Candy making, or in this case caramel popcorn making, involves a significant amount of chemistry.

Why is my caramel popcorn not crunchy? ›

→ The exact cooking temperature isn't critical with this recipe, but ideally you want the sugar mixture to reach between 250°F and 300°F. The longer you cook the syrup, the crunchier it will be. For very crunchy popcorn (my favorite!), stop cooking when you see the first wisps of smoke coming from the sugar mixture.

What is the secret to fluffy popcorn? ›

A good lid is important when making popcorn, but there's a bit of a strategy here. For the best results, and lowest number of un-popped kernels leave the lid open just a hairline amount. It allows any steam or moisture to get out as well, resulting in fluffy kernels.

Does baking soda make things more crispy? ›

Is baking soda or powder best for frying? A pinch of baking soda can help produce crispy fried foods. It reacts with the acid in the batter to create carbon dioxide bubbles. These lead to an airy batter and a crisper, fluffier result.

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