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Yummy, buttery Christmas Caramel Corn in pretty Red and Green for the Holidays. And no corn syrup necessary in this easy homemade Christmas treat.

Closeup on a white serving bowl filed with Red and Green Christmas Caramel Corn.

We’ve tried a lot of recipes looking for good, Easy Homemade Caramel Corn that doesn’t use corn syrup.  We’ve finally found one that we love.  This popcorn tastes amazing … buttery and caramel-y just the way it should. And no corn syrup required!  And it could not be easier to make.  It has quickly risen up the list of most requested family treats!

How to Make the Popcorn

Closeup on a bowl of homemade Caramel Corn.

Step 1:  This yummy Christmas-time treat is based on our popular Easy Homemade Caramel Corn recipe.  You can find detailed instructions and a video on how to make the popcorn here.

Collage image showing the steps to make homemade popcorn.

Step 2: Start with approximately 20 cups of popcorn. (Note:  This recipe makes a big batch of popcorn -suitable for a Holiday Party.  If you are making a smaller batch – halve the recipe and make 5 cups of Red Christmas Caramel Popcorn and 5 cups of Green Christmas Caramel Popcorn.) Make sure you get out all of the un-popped kernels.  You don’t want to bite down on one of those!  We pop our popcorn on the stove (you can find our directions on How to Make Perfect Popcorn here) but you can use air-popped or microwave.  Salt but do not butter the popcorn!

How to Make the Caramel Mixture

Closeup on a sauce pan with the caramel corn mixture boiling on a hot plate.

Step 3: Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup of light brown sugar and stir until thoroughly mixed. Stirring continuously to get the brown sugar dissolved, and bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a boil. When it reaches a boil allow it to cook for 5 minutes without stirring.  Add the 2 tsp. of vanilla at the 4-minute mark and mix.  At the 5-minute mark, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.  This will cause the caramel to change colors and foam up a bit. This is the chemical reaction that you want. The bubbling effect of the baking soda will aerate the caramel and make it lighter and smoother and therefore easier to coat the popcorn.

Collage image showing the steps for creating the green Caramel Corn.

Step 4: Add the Green Food Coloring to tint the Caramel mixture a pretty Christmas Green.
Step 5: Drizzle the green caramel mixture over 10 cups of popcorn.  Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until the kernels are all covered.
Step 6: Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet to cool.

Collage image showing the steps for tinting the caramel mixture red.

Step 7: Make another batch of caramel mixture and tint this one red.
Step 8: Repeat the process of covering another 10 cups of popcorn with the red caramel mixture.

Overhead shot of a cookie sheet filled with red caramel corn and a second cookie sheet filled with green caramel corn.

Step 9: Allow the Christmas Caramel Corn to cool prior to serving and then mix it up to serve.

Closeup on a bowl of Red and Green Christmas Caramel Corn.

Other Christmas Popcorn Recipes You Will Love

Christmas Caramel CornPrint

Christmas Caramel Corn

Yield 20 cups
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Yummy, buttery Christmas Caramel Corn in pretty Red and Green for the Holidays. And no corn syrup necessary in this easy homemade Christmas treat.

Ingredients

  • 20 cups Popped Popcorn
  • 2 cups Butter (Sweet Cream Salted)
  • 2 cups Light Brown Sugar
  • 4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • Red Food Coloring
  • Green Food Coloring

Instructions

  1. Make popcorn.
  2. Salt popcorn and set aside.
  3. Make Two batches - One Red and One Green. For each batch:
  4. Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  5. Add 1 cup of brown sugar and stir until thoroughly mixed.
  6. Stirring continuously, bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a boil
  7. When it reaches a boil allow it to cook for 5 minutes without stirring.
  8. Add the 2 tsp. of vanilla at the 4 minute mark and stir to mix.
  9. Continue to boil for one addition minute and then add the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and food coloring.
  10. Drizzle caramel mixture over the popcorn. Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until the kernels are all covered.
  11. Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil or a silpat liner.
  12. Let the popcorn cool.
  13. Serve.

Did you Make this Recipe? Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @twosisterscrafting on Instagram so we can see it!

© Two Sisters Crafting
Cuisine: American / Category: Popcorn