Gooey Caramel Popcorn

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Show: Food 911Episode: Scary Treats

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (20)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(20)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
12 popcorn balls

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 40 min

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Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch cream of tartar
1/2 (10-ounce) package marshmallows, about 4 cups
10 cups hot, salted popcorn, uncooked kernels removed

Directions

In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter, and cream of tartar (this bit of acid keeps the sugar from crystallizing.) Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar syrup reaches a boil, stop stirring and swirl the pan around over the heat so it doesn't burn. As the syrup reaches the caramel stage, the bubbles on top will become smaller, thicker, and closer together. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until the caramel coats the back of the spoon. (If so inclined, stick a candy thermometer in the pot and cook until the syrup reaches the soft-crack stage, about 270 degrees F. When you drop a bit of this syrup into cold water, it will solidify into threads that, when removed, are hard yet bendable.) Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the marshmallows. Fold the marshmallows into the hot caramel so they all melt into a gooey caramel sauce.

The caramel will coat better if the popcorn is hot, so make it while boiling the sugar or pop it first then keep it warm. Put the popcorn in a big bowl and pour the caramel marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Gently fold with a wooden spoon to coat each kernel. Grab handfuls of the popcorn and squeeze it together to form popcorn balls; make them about the size of a tennis ball. Put the popcorn balls on a sheet pan lined with waxed paper to cool completely.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Gooey Caramel Popcorn
jill gilbert, AZ 11-09-2009
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love it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

it tastes so good. just like the name it is gooey!!! for me i increase the popcorn to 25 cups and still coats the popcorn... completely. super sticky,super good!Read more
recipe Gooey Caramel Popcorn
Nicole Tacoma, WA 01-02-2009
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Best Caramel Popcorn...Ever.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made caramel popcorn at home before, but I decided to try this recipe this time. This makes the best I've ever tasted. ... They make balls well. The sauce took longer than the time stated to thicken and I didn't put in quite as many marshmallows as the recipe calls for, but with the experience of making similar before, it turned out perfect. Will use this recipe from now on.Read more
recipe Gooey Caramel Popcorn
Jenna Fargo, ND 11-13-2008
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Easy Caramel Popcorn recipe!
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I made this tonight because I was craving caramel popcorn. The directions are really simple and easy to follow. It took a... little bit longer than 10 to 12 minutes for my sauce to start thickening up. This hits the sweet tooth!Read more
recipe Gooey Caramel Popcorn
Hillary Vancouver, WA 10-20-2008
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Easier than I thought
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this with some apprehension because I do not make candy, nor do I own a candy thermometer. But they turned out great.... They are just like the title says, GOOEY! But they formed into balls well and turned out great. Read more
recipe Gooey Caramel Popcorn
Kari San Jose, CA 11-30-2007
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too sweet
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I like sweet things and love sugar. These, however, are too sweet. Love Tyler, what a stud but not crazy about these.
recipe Gooey Caramel Popcorn
Anonymous 09-16-2007
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Easy & Delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is super easy to follow, simple to put together, and makes the BEST gooey caramel popcorn balls I've ever eaten!... My family loves it!Read more