Quick and Easy Caramel Puff Corn

Quick and Easy Recipe for Caramel Puff Corn, just like caramel corn without the kernels.  Great snack for movie night.  Perfect hostess gift.

This caramel snack goes by many names; caramel corn puff, caramel puffcorn, caramel puff corn, I have even seen it called caramel corn pops, but those are actually an entirely different thing.

Those are made with corn pops the cereal.

A caramel corn recipe could be used for caramel puff corn.

The only real difference is that we use more baking powder and corn syrup when using puffcorn then we add a touch of vanilla.

I do not know the science behind why this recipe works better for puff corn, it just does.

Maybe it has to do with the extra liquid.

I use corn syrup in a few applications in the kitchen.

I know we should all probably be eating less corn syrup, but there are some places that other sweeteners just won’t give me the same results as corn syrup.

You could try using honey as a replacement, but you will need to cook the syrup for a longer period of time as honey has more water.

I do not know how much longer to boil when using honey, I have not tried it.

We save our honey for honey butter, peanut butter, biscuits, and rolls.

For the puffcorn I can usually find it at the grocery store.

I use Chester’s because it is what I can find in this area and I love the cheese version.

MikeSells is another brand that is available at Amazon.

This recipe will be forgiving in an ounce or so in either direction.  Just remember, the more puffcorn you use, the less coating each piece will have.

The baking part of this recipe is optional.  Caramel puffcorn does not have to be baked.

The finished product will be less crunchy.  The baking time allows to caramel coating to continue cooking.

Baking also helps produce a more even coating.  As it bakes and gets stirred, the excess caramel in one spot transfers to other spots.

Cinnamon can be added at the same time as the baking powder.

Simply mix the baking powder and cinnamon together before adding to the caramel.

This will ensure an even spread of the cinnamon.  I do not use a lot of cinnamon, just a hint, with 1/2 teaspoon.

I use Vietnamese cinnamon, a little bit goes a long way, so you may need to add more for a stronger flavor.

Once cooled, this caramel puff corn can be drizzled with melted chocolate, just like caramel corn, for a chocolate drizzled caramel puff corn.

Salted caramel puff corn can be achieved by sprinkling 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt or Himalayan pink salt on the puffcorn as soon as the last bake is completed.

Have I mentioned I am in love with Himalayan sea salt?  I even use it as table salt these days.

Pour out the finished puffcorn onto non-stick aluminum foil or wax paper and lightly sprinkle the salt on top.  Do not mix or the salt will start to dissolve and you will just wind up with a super salty product.

Our favorite way to serve it is the Chicago way.

Mix your caramel puff corn with cheddar cheese puff corn and make a hull-less version of caramel and cheese mixed popcorn minus the plain old buttered popcorn.

But if you like the plain, add it in equal parts to the caramel puffcorn and cheddar puffcorn.

For those of you not from the Chicago area a Chicago mix is a blend of plain popcorn, cheddar cheese popcorn and caramel popcorn.

Only one company is allowed to call it Chicago Mix and there were lawsuits over the name.

Anything even relating to the name Chicago, like Windy City, Chi-Town are not allowed to be added to popcorn.

Crazy! I know!

Print

Please remember to follow us on social media by using the buttons below.  Sign up for our email notification to be notified of any new recipes or posts.

If you have made this recipe, or any recipe on our site, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe.

Check Out a Few of Our Other Favorite Snacks:

Follow Us on Social Media

• 
• 
• 
• 
•