{"id":"caramel_popcorn_2eff83a429","slug":"homemade-salted-caramel-popcorn","title":"Homemade Salted Caramel Popcorn","description":"A crunchy, buttery, and perfectly sweet American snack featuring fluffy popcorn coated in a rich, homemade salted caramel glaze and baked until golden and crisp.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1/2 cup popcorn kernels","name":"Popcorn Kernels","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"unpopped","notes":"Should yield about 8-10 cups of popped corn","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":225,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"unsalted","notes":"1 cup total","group":"caramel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed","name":"Brown Sugar","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"packed","notes":"Light or dark brown sugar works","group":"caramel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/2 cup light corn syrup","name":"Corn syrup","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"light","notes":"Helps prevent sugar crystallization","group":"caramel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"Use sea salt for better flavor","group":"caramel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 teaspoon baking soda","name":"Baking Soda","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"Creates aeration in the caramel","group":"caramel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"caramel","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C). Pop the popcorn kernels using an air popper or stovetop method. Place the popped corn into a very large roasting pan or two large baking sheets, removing any unpopped kernels.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.","group":"Cooking Caramel","title":"In a medium saucepan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking Caramel"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Once boiling, stop stirring and let it boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam up—this is normal.","group":"Cooking Caramel","title":"Once boiling, stop stirring and let it boil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking Caramel"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour the caramel over the popcorn and toss quickly with a spatula until evenly coated.","group":"Assembly","title":"Pour the caramel","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure the popcorn is evenly glazed and doesn't stick in clumps.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Break apart any large clumps before serving.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from the oven and let cool completely","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Using a heavy-bottomed saucepan for the caramel is crucial to prevent burning. Baking the popcorn at a low temperature is the secret to that iconic long-lasting crunch.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake","boil"],"equipment":["large roasting pan","medium saucepan","spatula","popcorn popper"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":8,"unit":"cups","note":"Approximately 2 liters of popcorn"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Caramel popcorn can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crunch. Avoid humid environments.","reheatingNotes":"If it becomes soft, you can re-crisp it in the oven at 250°F (121°C) for 10 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcaramel_popcorn_2eff83a429%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e1fcae3f-943a-4c4b-84c3-f75f166821df","imageAlt":"Homemade Salted Caramel Popcorn — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["caramel","popcorn","sweet","crunchy","snack","salted caramel"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Homemade Salted Caramel Popcorn","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:36:33.273Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:36:33.273Z","related":[{"id":"ice_cream_sundae_af753bc8ae","slug":"classic-ice-cream-sundae","title":"Classic Ice Cream Sundae","description":"A timeless American treat featuring velvety vanilla ice cream topped with rich chocolate syrup, crunchy nuts, airy whipped cream, and a bright maraschino cherry.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fice_cream_sundae_af753bc8ae%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8649e493-fc61-47c6-b896-9d08232b11c8","imageAlt":"Classic Ice Cream Sundae — recipe cover","tags":["sweet","cold","classic","chocolate","vanilla"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"root_beer_float_235bd4e0f8","slug":"classic-root-beer-float","title":"Classic Root Beer Float","description":"A nostalgic American fountain favorite featuring creamy vanilla ice cream submerged in bubbly, spiced root beer for a frothy, indulgent treat.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American Soda Fountain"]},"course":["dessert","drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","egg_free","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Froot_beer_float_235bd4e0f8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=963067c8-fdbe-4227-8d5b-d76744b4c2bd","imageAlt":"Classic Root Beer Float — recipe cover","tags":["root beer","float","ice cream","sweet","cold","nostalgic","fountain drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"milkshake_2ca9221621","slug":"classic-vanilla-milkshake","title":"Classic Vanilla Milkshake","description":"A thick, creamy, and indulgent American classic made with premium vanilla ice cream and cold milk.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["dessert","drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmilkshake_2ca9221621%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c543f24d-2561-4c00-81b6-67e5056052ee","imageAlt":"Classic Vanilla Milkshake — recipe cover","tags":["milkshake","vanilla","sweet","beverage","american","cold","classic"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5}]}