Bourbon Caramel Popcorn

Are you still looking for a quick and easy appetizer for your holiday party? This Bourbon Caramel Popcorn is simple and fast to make and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser! This isn't just another caramel popcorn recipe…the sweetness of the caramel mixed with the saltiness of the popcorn is a perfect combination! With just a hint of bourbon, this caramel popcorn will have people reaching for more…down to the last kernel!

Oh my goodness you guys...I just made an incredible batch of caramel popcorn! This is the best popcorn recipe and it has to be the simplest version I've ever made. And, you don't need a popcorn machine to make it! Our family is on holiday break and I was looking for something I could make for us to munch on while we watch all these fantastic Christmas movies in the evenings while we're enjoying spending time together as a family.

Because we are in the movie watching mode, I wanted to snack on some popcorn...but I wanted to "dress it up" for the Christmas season. And let me tell you...this recipe met all my expectations. If you're a kettle corn fan or like gourmet popcorn, you're going to enjoy this version.

Why This Recipe Works

• The homemade caramel is easy to make and calls for simple ingredients,
• When you add bourbon to the caramel, it changes the consistency of the typical caramel corn and makes this popcorn more light, airy, and crisp.
• You're going to experience a light crunch with every bite. The caramel is not sticky and lightly coats the popcorn kernels perfectly.

I'm telling you, it's absolutely addictive. I have a really hard time putting the bowl down and walking away. And if I'm being honest, I'm not a huge fan of sweet popcorn. I like flavored popcorn the most, but this bourbon caramel version is just over the top scrumptious!

Ingredients You'll Need

It only takes six ingredients to make this homemade popcorn. To make this as easy as possible, buy a pre-popped popcorn bag at the store. I use SkinnyPop because it's guilt free. It's low in calories and made with sunflower oil. It also doesn't contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

For the bourbon, I like using Jim Beam. It's easy to find, not overly expensive, and is great to use when cooking. When I make my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Bourbon-Peach Barbecue Sauce, I use Jim Beam. It's mellow and low proof and that's what makes it a great choice when making homemade caramel corn.

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

Start by opening a 4.4 ounce bag of SkinnyPop and pour the entire bag into a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 300°F. From there, line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and light corn syrup.

Over medium heat, melt the ingredients until they come to a rolling boil. Stir the caramel mixture the entire time the ingredients are melting and coming to a boil. Once the mixture comes to a boil, let it slowly boil for 3 minutes while continuing to constantly stir. The mixture will start to thicken.

Once the 3 minutes is up, remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly stir in the bourbon and the vanilla extract. Expert Tip: Be prepared…when you add the bourbon and vanilla extract to the caramel sauce mixture, it's going to sizzle and splatter so be prepared to take a step back.

Once the caramel is well mixed, pour it over the big bowl of popcorn and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined.

Transfer the popcorn to the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure the popcorn is spread out to an even layer. The popcorn should now be coated with the caramel mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Once done, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes before serving.

What To Serve Popcorn In

I'm always looking for new fun and creative ways to serve food. I thought it would be fun to serve this in a stemless wine glasses. I put some white tissue paper in the glass and then placed the popcorn on top. You could also use a festive tissue paper during the holiday season!

I love giving this popcorn as a gift during the holiday season. Popcorn tins are relatively easy to find online or you can use an old tin lying around your house. Regardless how you serve this, it's guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser!

Expert Tips & FAQs

• Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty with this recipe. While I like to use a spatula to mix the caramel, I also like using my hands to ensure all the popcorn kernels are evenly covered. I use the same method when spreading the popcorn in the cookie sheet.
• Don't expect a "boozy" bourbon flavor with this caramel popcorn. The bourbon adds a very subtly hint of flavor. The bourbon is also the key ingredient that makes the caramel light and airy. This version is not the same consistency as moose munch. 
• If you like sweet and salty popcorn, add ½ teaspoon of salt to the caramel sauce or use a salted butter.
• Store any leftovers in a Ziplock baggie.

More Popcorn Recipes

If you're looking for more recipes to make using popcorn, check out these Marshmallow Popcorn Hearts. Drizzled with pink white chocolate, they’re sweet treats for kids or adults! And, you can never go wrong with a snack mix. Bursting with a sweet and salty flavor, this is a perfect snack that everyone can enjoy!

I can’t wait to hear how this recipe turned out for you! If you’ve tried this or any other recipe of mine on the website, make sure you rate the recipe. You can also leave a comment below! I love hearing from you! And make sure you sign up for my newsletter!

 

Update Notes: This post was originally published in December 2018, but was re-published with updated instructions and pictures in December 2020.

• Recipe inspired by: The Brewer & The Baker