This is the best caramel recipe ever! The soft caramel is perfect for caramel popcorn, drizzling over ice cream, or apple dipping! You will love it!
If you are looking for other super easy and delicious treats try our easy homemade brownies or our chocolate crinkle cookies. Or you can find our entire dessert gallery here.
Anyway back to the topic at hand!
Homemade Caramel
Every fall we make this homemade caramel sauce and it is one of my kids favorite traditions! For good reason too because this stuff is to die for good.
You can use this homemade caramel in a multitude of ways. My two favorites are caramel popcorn and caramel ice cream sundaes. Not your thing? Cake? Brownies? Dip for apples? Yes, yes and yes.
Ingredients for Homemade Caramel
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Karo Syrup
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
It really is so simple! Like most of the recipes I post on this blog, it is cost effective. I always have all these ingredients on hand (granted, the Karo syrup is only on hand for this very recipe, but still.)
How to Make Caramel Popcorn
- Pour caramel over popcorn immediately after removing it from the stove. This recipe will cover three or four bags of microwave popcorn thoroughly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
- This caramel is soft and so it will make soft, gooey caramel popcorn (my favorite kind). If you prefer a crunchier, harder caramel popcorn you can spread your caramel covered popcorn out on a greased baking sheet and bake at 250 for about an hour, turning every 15 minutes or so.
How to Make Caramel with Condensed Milk
You ready for the best and easiest caramel recipe?
If you make and love this recipe we would love for you to leave us a comment and let us know, we appreciate them so much!
Easy Caramel Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 C Brown Sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 C light Karo syrup
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Melt all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Once caramel is boiling, cook for approximately two minutes stirring constantly.
- If using for caramel popcorn: Pour over popcorn immediately (this recipe will cover three bags of microwave popcorn thoroughly.)
Notes
How to Make Caramel Popcorn
- Pour caramel over popcorn immediately after removing it from the stove. This recipe will cover three or four bags of microwave popcorn thoroughly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
- This caramel is soft and so it will make soft, gooey caramel popcorn (my favorite kind). If you prefer a crunchier, harder caramel popcorn you can spread your caramel covered popcorn out on a greased baking sheet and bake at 250 for about an hour, turning every 15 minutes or so.
Nutrition
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kerri-anne Forsyth
Thanks for posting Jessica. This is the easiest recipe for caramel pop corn I have ever seen, I'm Australian and you have a lot of different terminalogy for products to us so please could you explain what karo syrup is, I would think it to be corn syrup would I be right or wrong.?
Jessica
Hi Kerri-Anne! So sorry for the delayed response. You are exactly right, Karo syrup is just a brand of corn syrup, its just what I have always called it! So sorry for the confusion and good luck with your caramel... it's delicious!
Tina
this looks so yummy! Might have to try it for Halloween nite snack. As far as the pot goes, a lot of my favorite kitchen things are the ones that look the worst...they are just well-loved - just like an old teddy bear. LOL
Jessica
You are so sweet! It's true, I use my same favorite appliances all the time :). We are making this caramel popcorn for Halloween too, it's tradition and i'm already so excited! I hope you enjoy yours.
Anonymous
Could you then squish them into popcorn balls? Think the soft kind would hold together? I love the portability of popcorn balls.
Jessica
Hi! They would definitely mold to a ball, I just don't think they would hold their shape very well. My favorite thing about this caramel popcorn is its softness, I don't love crunchy popcorn balls, but I agree they are super cute and portable! I would put a scoop of this popcorn in the clear small cups and then cover them with cellophane or something! Good luck ;).
QUIBOOKER
Nice easy recipe...and as a cook I have my favorite pots and pans and some are not that pretty anymore....so its okay for a pot to be Seasoned any true cook would understand...thanks for sharing
kerri-anne Forsyth
To True thats a pot with character, and you know how much we all love a character.
Jessica
You are so sweet, thanks so much! It's true, I totally have favorite bowls and cups so I understand :).
KelleyS
The best! Thanks for this post! Awesomesauce!
Jessica
You're so welcome! I hope you love it.
Rosalia Solis
blah don't know what I did wrong but when I poured my caramel on top it completely shrunk my popcorn n made it mushy.. Yuck!
Jessica
Oh no! I don't know what to tell you, I have never had that happen to me before. It is a soft caramel recipe though, so it shouldn't be crunchy or brittle afterward, it should be soft, but not mushy!
Anonymous
My guess would be that maybe you used "light" margarine or butter, which has water in it...I have done that before and my popcorn totally shrunk too. Wonderful recipe!
Jessica
Thanks so much! And thanks for the heads up, now I will know how to answer that question!
Anonymous
Mine was a mushy mess too, I did not use light butter either!! Super bummed, my kids LOVE caramel popcorn!!
Anonymous
Maybe it wasn't boiled enought to thicken or maybe it should be cooled for a bit to thicken just enough not to soak the popcorn?
BA
Is the popcorn good after storing or does it need to be eaten right away?
Jessica
It will store well for a few days, (maybe 48 hours) in an airtight container. After that I personally don't like it as much!
Anonymous
Is a cube of butter a stick?
Jessica
Yes, 1/2 cup!
Anonymous
On canning the caramel do you water bath or pressure cook the jars? If pressure for how long and what pressure? For water bath process time?
Jessica
I don't actually process the cans since it keeps so long in the fridge. I just pour it in the cans, and if I give it as a gift I would just leave a little note saying that it needs to be refrigerated!
Bonnie the Boss
This is the recipe I have used for years! It is awesome!
Jessica
Isn't it delicious?? And the best part is how easy it is to make!
The Farm-Marm
I think I just gained 5 pounds.....
I am on my way to the store for some popcorn!
Jessica
Haha yay! I hope you love it :).
Kimberly
So by three bags of popcorn....are you using microwave popcorn that is salted and buttered or is it something different??
Jessica
Yes I use microwave popcorn! I have tried it with salted, buttered and plain and they all work great! Whatever your preference is, will work.
Anonymous
I want to know what a cube of butter is also and how did you "can" the caramel sauce.
Jessica
I don't actually process the cans typically, since it lasts so long in the fridge! If I give it as a gift I just leave a note saying to make sure you refrigerate!
Also, yes, a cube of butter should read 1/2 cup! I'm sorry, I should have been more clear on that.
Anonymous
How much is 1 "cube" of butter? Like 1 whole stick?
Jessica
Yes, one whole stick! I'm sorry I should have been more specific! :)
Heidi
This looks and sounds heavenly!! This is being featured today at {Junk in their Trunk}, thanks for linking up!!
Bridget
Oh yum caramel! whats not to like :)
Alyssa
I never realized how easy it was to make caramel, I will have to try this! The popcorn looks really good too. Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday. I hope to see you there next week!
Michelles Tasty Creations
Hi,
Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week. I don't know what else to say except oh, my! This is so delicious looking and Caramel Corn is my Favorite! Can't wait to try this recipe.
Hope to see you again next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
Stephanie
Ohhh caramel corn is delicious but I've never made it at home, will have to try this!!
Stephanie
http://www.chocolatecoveredbuttons.com
Anonymous
This caramel corn IS delicious. It is MY real Aunt Val's original receipe!!