Marshmallow Caramel Corn Recipe
This Marshmallow Caramel Corn recipe combines the classic buttery caramel popcorn with a sweet, gooey marshmallow twist. It’s a perfect crunchy, chewy treat for snacking, movie nights, or sharing with friends and family during festive occasions.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: About 12 cups (serves 8-10) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Popcorn
- 12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Marshmallow Mixture
- 1 package (10 oz) large marshmallows (approximately 35 marshmallows)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Popcorn: Pop the popcorn using your preferred method—air popper, stovetop, or microwave. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels for a better eating experience.
- Make the Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the packed brown sugar and light corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cooking for about 5 minutes while stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Marshmallows: Remove the saucepan from heat and add the large marshmallows to the caramel mixture. Stir continuously until the marshmallows have fully melted and combined into a smooth, creamy sauce. Then blend in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Coat the Popcorn: Pour the warm caramel-marshmallow sauce evenly over the popped popcorn. Gently toss or stir the popcorn to coat every piece thoroughly without crushing the popcorn.
- Bake for Crunch: Spread the coated popcorn on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper in an even layer. Bake in a preheated oven at 250°F (120°C) for 30 minutes. Stir the popcorn every 10 minutes during baking to ensure an even, crisp coating.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into pieces and serve immediately or store in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Use fresh popcorn to ensure it doesn’t get soggy when coated with the caramel marshmallow sauce.
- Stir constantly when making caramel to avoid burning and graininess.
- For a crunchier texture, do not skip the baking step.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- For a nutty variation, consider adding toasted nuts after tossing with the caramel mixture before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: caramel corn, marshmallow popcorn, sweet snack, caramel popcorn, movie night snack, homemade caramel corn