Puffed Caramel Corn Recipe

Caramel corn is one of our family’s Christmas favorites, both to munch on and bag as gifts for friends and family. It’s typically the first thing we bake as a part of our Christmas goodies and something the kids are forever sneaking bites of.

This year though, there’s a girl in our house who has been missing out on that tradition thanks to her braces (big no-no on the list from our orthodontist). BUT we found something that is a yummy substitute and has made that girl SUPER happy – puffed corn.

Instead of using regular air popped corn, when the puffed corn is covered with the same yummy caramel sauce and baked, it is so every bit as tasty as our regular caramel corn.

While I don’t often share recipes here, this puffed caramel corn recipe just seemed like one you all might enjoy. Keep in mind that this isn’t a staple in our house – or we’d all be in big trouble with the dentist (and our waistline), but oh my – so good!

Puffed Caramel Corn Recipe

• 3 bags of puffed corn (we used Frito Lay butter flavored 3.5 ounce bags)
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• optional: add 1 cup of peanuts (we add this to the caramel corn, but usually not to the puffed corn)
• Note: to make caramel corn, replace puffed corn with 7 quarts of air popped corn

1. Add puffed corn to a large baking dish (I used our large turkey roasting pan). If adding peanuts, mix them in as well.
2. Bring butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt to a low boil for 5 minutes.
3. Add baking soda and vanilla to mixture, stir in well, and remove from heat.
4. Pour caramel sauce over puffed corn and mix in well.
5. Bake at 250 for 45 to 50 minutes, mixing the corn and caramel again about halfway through.
6. Pull out of the oven; stir again and let cool. Store in an airtight container (should any remain once your family gets their hands on it).

Between this recipe and homemade peppermint bark, we definitely keep our sweet tooth satisfied in December! Does your family have a Christmas staple to munch on?