Sunday, March 20, 2016

Foodie Gift Guide - Homemade Caramel Corn


Welcome to a new series on my blog - the Foodie Gift Guide! The Foodie Gift Guide is where I will be sharing recipes and/or wrapping techniques for the most irresistible food gifts. I guarantee that the food lover in your life will be ecstatic upon receiving one of the treats from this series!

Foodie gifts are so important. Not only do they appeal to the recipients' heart, but to their tastebuds too! A win-win of the tastiest kind. I don't know about you but I have many foodies in my life, with myself being at the top of the list. Believe me, if any of my friends gifted me the treat I'm about to share with you, I would ask them to marry me on the spot (haha!).


Today's foodie gift is homemade caramel corn! Made with only four ingredients (and a few optional ones), making caramel corn at home is so easy, tasty, and fulfilling. At the same time, you instantly get rid of half of the ingredients (read: random crap like dyes and preservatives) found in the prepackaged variety. This caramel corn is melt-in-the-mouth buttery, crunchy, and the addition of a chocolate drizzle makes it over the top delicious.

I made this flavored popcorn for a last minute surprise celebration and all the guests, including the guest of honor, loved it! Everyone still remembers this popcorn, and to this day still asks me for the recipe. So the day has finally come. I hope you give this recipe a try and good luck in the kitchen!


A few notes to remember-
  • Be careful not to touch the caramel! It is super hot and will burn your fingers instantly.
  • Pick out any un-popped kernels from the popped corn so that the final result is perfect for munching.
  • Do try to use light brown sugar for the caramel, but dark brown will work in a pinch. I only had dark brown sugar on hand when I made the batch pictured, so it resulted in darker popcorn. Light brown sugar would give it a more golden coloring. 

Homemade Caramel Corn
(adapted from Creme De La Crumb)

10 cups plain popped popcorn 
(½ cup kernels or 3.3-ounce bag microwave popcorn) 
4 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking sheet
½ cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons water
Coarse sea salt (optional)
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips


Preheat the oven to 300º F. Butter a large cookie sheet and set aside. Set the popped popcorn aside in a large bowl.

Melt butter, brown sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir constantly. Quickly pour the mixture over the prepared popcorn and toss until all the popcorn is coated evenly. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Transfer to the cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes, tossing occasionally. Bake until crispy and golden and then remove and cool completely.

Once the popcorn is cooled, melt the chocolate and drizzle over the popcorn. Let it set completely. Store in an airtight container or wrap for gifting! Enjoy!



More recipes that are perfect for gifting are...



Anonymous said...

That's a perfect gift for any occasion. N, it's homemade, healthier n tastes great. Superb idea!!

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