Description
Delight in these homemade caramel popcorn balls, a perfect sweet and crunchy treat that combines buttery caramel with fresh popped popcorn. Easy to make and ideal for parties or snacks, these caramel popcorn balls are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Popcorn
- 10 cups plain popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup kernels)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Popcorn: Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for the caramel popcorn balls.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture gently boils. Boil for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thick and golden. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Coat Popcorn: Immediately pour hot caramel over the popcorn. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss until all popcorn is evenly coated with caramel. Allow the mixture to cool slightly until safe and warm enough to handle.
- Form Balls: Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Form the caramel-coated popcorn into tightly packed balls about the size of a tennis ball. Place the formed balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Set and Serve: Let the caramel popcorn balls cool completely to set. Once cooled, they are ready to be enjoyed or wrapped individually for later.
Notes
- Add festive sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or chopped nuts to the caramel mixture before forming the balls for extra flair and texture.
- Store the popcorn balls in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
