Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Pretzel Popcorn plus 4 More Movie Night Popcorn Recipes

Salted Caramel Popcorn

My friend Shana Olson shared her Caramel Popcorn recipe with me when we were working with a group of wonderful young women on a regular basis...they requested this popcorn...ALL THE TIME! I use this recipe for caramel any time I need a delicious soft caramel for recipes and sauces.  You will need a candy thermometer for this recipe.  You can get one at any good grocery store or kitchen store.  Just keep it somewhere out of reach of children.  I always wash mine right after using it and place it up high in a cupboard, for safe keeping.

12-14 cups popped popcorn 

Creamy Caramel:

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup corn syrup

½ cup water

1 teaspoon white vinegar

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup butter

Place popped corn in a large bowl and set aside.  Sift out unpoped kernels.  Combine sugars, corn syrup, water, vinegar and salt in a small heavy pot.  Heat mixture to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally until boiling.  Cook to almost 235 degrees on a candy thermometer.  Turn heat to low and whisk in butter. Pour over popped corn and stir until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle with some coarse sea salt, if desired. If Caramel Corn is not instantly gobbled up, store in an airtight container.

  Salted Pretzel Caramel Chocolate Popcorn
I added some pretzel and milk chocolate pieces to the gooey caramel to take this caramel popcorn to the next level!  Try adding some mini marshmallows!

1 cup crushed pretzels or pretzel pieces

1 cup milk chocolate chips

12-14 cups popped popcorn, unpopped kernels sifted out

batch of Creamy Caramel

Make batch of Creamy Caramel from recipe above.  Pour hot caramel over popcorn.  Gently toss caramel through the popcorn.  Sprinkle on chocolate chips and pretzel pieces and toss gently. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and let stand until cool.  Chocolate chips will melt a little depending on how hot the caramel is.  Don't over mix it, as you want chunks of chocolate throughout.  Allow to cool completely (if you can) before eating.

White Chocolate Popcorn 

My friend Karen Cox made this for the kids one day and it was a hit!  Add some sprinkles over the top for a fun variation! 

1 package white chocolate chips

4-5 tablespoons canola oil

10 cups popped popcorn

Fine ground sea salt to taste

Melt white chocolate and canola oil and stir until smooth.  Pour over popped corn and stir until combined.  Sprinkle a little sea salt as desired over the top and toss to combine.  Allow chocolate to cool and harden.

Seasoned Popcorn

I love Williams-Sonoma Popcorn Seasoning, but we could go through one container in a weekend!  So I came up with this homemade version that we can whip up anytime. I've started using some olive oil in place of some of the butter on popcorn... to make it slightly healthier!  But you can use all butter if desired.

Bowl of popped popcorn

¼ cup powdered Parmesan cheese, such as Kraft

¼ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon sugar

¼ cup butter, melted

1/8-1/4 cup olive oil (or butter)

In a small bowl toss cheese, salts and sugar.  Melt butter and stir in olive oil.  Drizzle butter mixture over popcorn and toss with desired amount of cheese mixture.

Kettle Corn

I’ve tried lots of kettle corn recipes and methods.  I didn't love any of them and found the methods not so easy.  I came up with this one, wanting a hint of spice and vanilla with a really simple method.  It turned out awesome… and addicting.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you! 

bowl of popped popcorn

¼ cup butter melted

1/8 - ¼ cup olive oil  ( or butter)

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup sugar

½ scant teaspoon sea salt

A couple dashes of cinnamon

In a small bowl mix together sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Melt butter in a small saucepan and whisk in olive oil and vanilla. Put popped corn into large bowl and pour desired amount of butter mixture over the top while tossing.  Sprinkle with the desired amount of the sugar mixture.  Enjoy immediately.