Caramel Coated Puff Corn is just the perfect combination of a crispy caramel crunch that is buttery, salty, and sweet. It is best to make two batches of this treat as it is a bit addicting.
Caramel coated puff corn is a favorite of mine. It’s the perfect treat for family gatherings and parties, especially around the holidays. I love to make them with my family.
All you need is butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, baking soda, and a bag of puffed corn. That’s right- just five ingredients that will give your house an amazing smell while they’re cooking in the oven. If you’re looking for some wonderful holiday desserts or party snacks, then try making these soon.
For us, this is like a caramel crack. I have made caramel popcorn in the past, but we don’t like that occasional hard kernel that you can get. The puff corn has all the same great taste without the worry of chipping a tooth. Perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
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Holiday Baking Treat
The past few years, my holiday baking list continues to incorporate easier treats and snacks. This is one that has been added and the whole family just loves this homemade indulgence.
Make a beautiful and welcomed gift for someone special throughout the year. Just place in a pretty tin or other airtight container. Add a bit of ribbon and a tag.
Movie and Potluck Snack
Make this throughout the year as a scrumptious snack for movie night. It takes about an hour to make and 30 minutes for the caramel to set up. Therefore, it is rather easy and quick to make this snack for a wide variety of occasions. Even just staying home and enjoying a moving night.
The next time you need to bring a dish to pass, whip up a quick batch of this caramel puff corn, bring it to the party and just watch it disappear.
Perfect for the game day snack table too.
Caramel Corn or Puff Corn or Crack Corn
This caramel puff corn recipe combines a homemade buttery caramel sauce with a bag of simple puff corn. However, the same sauce can be used with regular popped corn. Today, I used an 8-ounce bag of the Puff Corn. Just swap that out for 8-ounces of popped corn and you are all set.
The Caramel Puff Corn is truly irresistible with its crunchy outside and soft puffy, buttery goodness on the inside.
This treat has been referred to as Crack Corn by many. It is very hard to have just one!
How is Puff Corn Made and What is Puff Corn?
You may have never heard of Puff Corn where you live. Minnesota is where this puffcorn snack originates from; therefore, in Wisconsin, it is readily available in most grocery stores.
Puff Corn is a snack that is a tasty and affordable cereal‐based food product. It is made using a thermodynamic process where the dough is passed through a tube and baked under a certain amount of pressure. When the dough is extruded out of the high pressure, steam is created causing it to “puff.”
Caramel Coated Puff Corn Recipe Ingredients
Old Dutch Puff Corn. I have not ever found any other brand in the stores; therefore, this is the one that I get all the time. Just the normal butter flavor.
Butter. It is important to use real butter for this recipe. If not used, it could cause the caramel sauce to separate or crystalize.
Brown Sugar. This can be dark or light. I have made it with both, and it tastes great.
Light Corn Syrup. Using this in the caramel sauce will ensure that all the caramel ingredients combine and stay together throughout the heating process. I have tried to make this without it and it has separated. So, I always use this.
Baking Soda. Once this is added, the caramel sauce will begin to have a foamy appearance. That is normal.
Caramel Corn Recipe Success
Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. While this is heating, start the caramel sauce.
Combine the butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a 2-quart saucepan. I just use a kettle for this.
Cook on medium heat until the mixture has melted stirring constantly until the mixture is boiling.
Then stop stirring, turn the heat down a bit and let the caramel mixture boil 3 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add the baking soda. Stir to incorporate.
Pour the Puffcorn out of the bag into a large roasting pan or a large stainless-steel bowl. (something that can be placed in the oven and will allow the Puffcorn to be stirred).
Pour the caramel sauce over the Puffcorn and stir to incorporate.
Place in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 45 minutes uncovered. Stir every 10-15 minutes. Baking helps even out the caramel coating. Stirring will help distribute the caramel a bit more evenly.
Remove from the oven and divide between two large cookie sheets or two half sheet pans lined with waxed paper and let cool and the caramel set up.
Once cooled, break apart and enjoy, bring to your next party, or give as a gift.
Variations to the Caramel Coated Corn Puffs Recipe
Add 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavoring, such as almond, just before adding the baking soda.
If you like a salted caramel taste, sprinkle a bit of flaked sea salt over the Caramel Puff corn right when it is transferred to the cooling pans.
Add 1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon or ½ Teaspoon of Nutmeg when the baking soda is added.
Drizzle with melted chocolate once the Caramel Puffcorn has cooled.
Add 1 cup of raisins, craisins, nuts or other dried fruit to the Puffcorn mixture.
If you like the taste of caramel, here are a few other recipes for you to try.
Chocolate Caramel Rice Krispie Bars
Salted Caramel White Russian Beverage
Caramel Coated Puff Corn
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Old Dutch Puffcorn 1 package or (2-3.5 ounce packages)
- 1 Cup Butter
- 1 1/4 Cups Brown Sugar
- 2/3 Cups Light Corn Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. While this is heating, start the caramel sauce. Combine the butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a2-quart saucepan. I just use a kettle for this.
- Cook on medium heat until the mixture has melted stirring constantly until the mixture is boiling. Then stop stirring, turn the heat down a bit and let the caramel mixture boil 3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add the baking soda. Stir to incorporate.
- Pour the Puffcorn out of the bag into a large roasting pan or a large stainless-steel bowl. (something that can be placed in the oven and will allow the Puffcorn to be stirred). Pour the caramel sauce over the Puffcorn and stir to incorporate.
- Place in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 45 minutes uncovered. Stir every 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and divide between two large cookie sheets or two half sheet pans lined with waxed paper and let cool and the caramel set up.
- Once cooled, break apart and enjoy, bring to your next party, or give as a gift.
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I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
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Sunday 5th of December 2021
Thanks for sharing your recipe. Aldi is currently selling their own brand of butter puffcorn, if you happen to have one near you.