Irresistible Marshmallow Caramel Corn Recipe to Wow Guests Recipe
This irresistible Marshmallow Caramel Corn is a perfect sweet and crunchy snack to impress your guests. Combining fluffy mini marshmallows with rich caramel coating over freshly popped popcorn, this treat offers a delightful balance of gooey sweetness and crispy texture. Ideal for parties, movie nights, or festive occasions, this recipe is simple to make and sure to wow everyone.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: About 12 cups of caramel corn 1x
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Popping, stovetop caramel preparation, baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Popcorn
- 1 cup popcorn kernels (yields about 12 cups popped)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup water (optional, for sugar syrup)
Marshmallows
- 10 oz mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Pop the Corn: Use an air popper or the stovetop method to pop 1 cup of popcorn kernels, yielding about 12 cups of popped corn. Transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl, ensuring to remove any un-popped kernels.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Stir continuously until the mixture melts and becomes bubbly, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Marshmallows: Add 10 oz of mini marshmallows to the saucepan. Stir continuously as the marshmallows melt into the warm caramel, forming a smooth and gooey sauce.
- Coat the Popcorn: Gradually pour the warm caramel marshmallow sauce over the popped corn while gently tossing to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
- Bake to Set: Preheat the oven to 200°F (95°C). Spread the coated popcorn evenly on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every ten minutes to prevent clumping and ensure even drying.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the caramel corn to cool completely. Once cooled, break into pieces and serve for a delicious, crunchy, and chewy treat.
Notes
- If you prefer a slightly softer texture, reduce baking time slightly.
- Stirring during baking is essential to prevent burning and clumping of the caramel corn.
- Ensure no un-popped kernels remain to avoid biting into hard, unpleasant pieces.
- The optional 1/4 cup water helps in dissolving the sugar evenly during caramel creation, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Store leftover caramel corn in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: marshmallow caramel corn, caramel popcorn, sweet popcorn recipe, party snack, holiday treat, marshmallow snack
