
This is the ultimate Classic Caramel Corn you love to nosh on. Add a few peanuts and you’ve got a traditional classic snack mix everyone will love.
Classic Caramel Corn
Many many many many years ago, before electricity was even invented, and when people used to clip recipes out of the newspaper, magazines, and newspaper advertising inserts, I found a recipe from the Jell-O company for Rainbow Popcorn.
A version of the recipe still exists on the Jell-O website: Jell-O Rainbow Popcorn
I figured that if I made this recipe using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar and didn’t use any other flavorings I would get the perfect, simply classic caramel corn.
It worked.

Classic Caramel Corn. Simple is almost always the best.
Perfectly coated, crunchy and sweet.
Simply perfect.
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Classic Caramel Corn
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 9 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Kosher
Description
This is the ultimate Classic Caramel Corn you love to nosh on. Add a few peanuts and you’ve got a traditional classic snack mix everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup popcorn kernels, (yields around 9 cups popped)
- nonstick vegetable spray
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup plant based margarine (1/2 stick)
- 1 (3-ounce) package clear, unflavored gelatin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Cover a large sheet pan with foil. Spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Spray a large bowl with nonstick vegetable spray. Air pop the kernels into the prepared bowl. Set aside.
- In a small 3 quart saucepan, combine the brown sugar, margarine, and gelatin. Cook over medium/low heat until the margarine and sugar are melted, stirring constantly with a heat resistant spatula. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Pour the sugar syrup over the popcorn. Use two forks to toss and completely coat the popcorn.
- Transfer the popcorn to the prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Cool completely then break into small pieces.
Equipment

Fleischmanns Solid Margarine – Unsalted
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Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels
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Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Hot Air Popper
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Notes
You can add peanuts or other nuts to the popcorn before coating to make this an ultimate party snack.
I often will use forks to re-coat the popcorn right after it comes out of the oven before cooling.
For more Gourmet Popcorn recipes check out my post 12+ Gourmet Popcorn Recipes.
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