These caramel corn clusters have been a favorite in our house for the last several years. I make it a lot around the holidays for us to munch on while we’re all snuggled up on the couch watching our favorite Christmas movies. I mean, what better movie-watching snack is there besides popcorn and chocolate?!
I love sweet and salty combos, and my usual plain popcorn and chocolate snack is made even better by the addition of a salty-sweet caramel and other yummy add-ins, like almonds, toasted coconut, and goji berries. Those are my flavors of choice, but you really can add anything you like here. Feel free to add peanuts, pecans, chocolate chips, your favorite candy, etc…there are so many choices!
It used to be that I made caramel the way most people do—with butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. I now cringe at the thought of ever using corn syrup in anything, but that was the classic recipe and that’s how I made it. Little did I know there were other ways to make this same, delicious flavor with better-for-you ingredients!
I use a combo of maple syrup and honey to make this caramel and although there is a subtle hint of each flavor, it is definitely not overwhelming and neither is the coconut oil. My daughter, who doesn’t like the flavor of honey or coconut, couldn’t even tell the difference, and you know kids..they’re brutally honest. 😉
To top it all off, I use melted dark chocolate chips to drizzle over the popcorn mixture and then stick it in the fridge to cool quickly. This crunchy, sweet with a touch of salt, popcorn makes a great snack or gift to give away.
…and while you’re in the giving mood, you can send me some too! 😉
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- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
or butter (dairy free butter works)
- ½ cup maple syrup
, honey or combo of both
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
, honey or combo of both
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- ½ cup almonds, whole or sliced (or another nut of choice)
- ½ cup additional toppings of choice, such as toasted coconut chips
, goji berries
, other nuts, additional chocolate chips, or a combo of each
- caramel sauce
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, melted (dairy-free if needed)
- coarse or flaked sea salt, for sprinkling
, 
, other nuts, additional chocolate chips, or a combo of each- Into a large pot or deep sided pan, heat oil with a few popcorn kernels over medium heat, covered, until you hear the kernels pop. Quickly add remaining popcorn kernels, shaking pan to coat kernels with oil. Cover pan and continue to heat over medium-low heat, shaking the pan frequently, until kernels stop popping, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour popcorn (try not to include any unpopped kernels) into a large metal or glass bowl. Add mix-ins of your choice, nuts, dried berries, toasted coconut, chocolate chips, etc, and set aside while you cook the caramel. Preheat your oven to 300F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick liner to have ready for the popcorn mixture later.
- Into a heavy sauce pan, melt oil over medium heat. Pour in syrup or honey and stir to combine. Cook over medium-low heat (As low as possible to maintain a gentle boil. If the heat is too high it will burn) without stirring for 5-8 minutes, or until mixture reaches 230F, thread stage on a candy thermometer. Watch the caramel closely because it burns very easily. Keep the heat as low as possible while maintaining a good low boil.
- When caramel is ready, remove from heat and stir in salt, extract, and baking soda. The baking soda will foam up making the caramel mixture very fluffy and airy. (Note: I've made this caramel with and without baking soda. The photo above is without. It's typically called for and supposedly improves the texture, so included it in the recipe.) Quickly pour caramel over popcorn mixture and stir to coat evenly. Many of the mix-ins will fall to the bottom of the bowl so try to incorporate those into the caramel and popcorn. Pour mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet and place into the 300F oven to bake for 15 minutes, stirring mid-way through.
- Remove pan from the oven and let cool for a few minutes and then break into clumps (popcorn will crisp up as it cools.) Melt chocolate according to package directions. Usually, you can melt over a double boiler on the stove or in the microwave at half power in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. About 1-1.5 minutes in the microwave and 3-5 minutes over a double boiler.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the popcorn mixture, sprinkle on some sea salt, and allow to cool completely. Can also put into the fridge to get the chocolate to set quicker. Break into clusters and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.
You may also enjoy these similar recipes:
Easy Raw Caramel Apples
Salted Caramel Coffee Creamer and Iced Latte
Vegan Caramel Macadamia Nut Bites
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Michael Brogan says
June 6, 2018 at 10:01 pmPretty cool recipe
Although I sugest adding the goji berries immediately after the trays are removed from the oven
They burnt and runied the flavour and lost there viverant colour
Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says
June 8, 2018 at 10:44 pmSo happy you enjoyed it, Michael! Thanks for your feedback too. I’ll be sure to make a note about the goji berries in the recipe. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
November 4, 2015 at 11:46 amOH. MY. GOSH. I am dying over these droolicious pictures, Joscelyn. Anything with chocolate and caramel is killer. Love how easy and delish they are! 🙂
Minna says
November 1, 2015 at 8:45 pmI want these now! I think I might make some for our next date night when we are at home- maybe I’ll use some popped sorghum instead of the popped corn just because that’s what I have on hand. The caramel from the maple and honey looks so good- I’ve never thought of that before! Hope you had a nice weekend my friend 🙂
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
November 3, 2015 at 9:16 pmYum! I need to try popped sorghum! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in the store, but I will need to look for it. Let me know if you get a chance to try it! I’d be interested to know how it works with the sorghum! Happy November, Minna!
Tiffany says
November 1, 2015 at 3:07 pmOMGoodness Yes please! I love Caramel anything and these look delicious..I mean Caramel AND Chocolate…WIN!
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
November 3, 2015 at 9:11 pmMe too, girl! Thanks, Tiffany!
Harriet Emily says
October 30, 2015 at 2:58 pmThis looks incredible! I love the combination of chocolate and caramel soooo much – such a great idea to add them to popcorn! Amazing snack recipe Joscelyn! So delicious and indulgent. I love making caramel sauce with coconut oil and maple syrup too! Yum!
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
November 3, 2015 at 9:11 pmThank you, Harriet! Caramel, chocolate, and popcorn were meant for each other! I also love that you can make a delicious caramel with healthier ingredients! 🙂
Sowmiasgalley says
October 30, 2015 at 8:07 amI am a great fan of Caramel popcorn.. I can imagine the taste of Caramel and chocolate.. So yummy
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
November 3, 2015 at 9:08 pmYes, it makes for an amazing combo!
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
October 29, 2015 at 11:04 pmThank you, Cole! The three together do make an amazing combination!
Cole says
October 29, 2015 at 5:51 pmThis looks soooo good! I love popcorn, caramel and chocolate, I imagine that all three combined is just amazing!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
October 29, 2015 at 5:22 pmI just saw them in my Instagram feed and I thought why I’ve never made popcorn clusters. I can eat them right now:)
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
October 29, 2015 at 11:03 pmCaramel popcorn is so addictive! It’s not too difficult to make either, plus it stays good for several days, unlike regular popcorn 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, Ilona!
Christina says
October 29, 2015 at 4:39 pmThis looks amazing! I’m definitely going to have to try this. I’m sure I’ll love it!
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
October 29, 2015 at 11:00 pmThank you, Christina! I hope you enjoy it!
Amisha says
October 29, 2015 at 3:51 pmThis is gorgeous Joscelyn! I will be making it this weekend… for my kids! they will love it ! sweet and salty popcorn!? that’s like heaven!!!! awesome pics as always my friend!!!! 😀
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
October 29, 2015 at 11:00 pmThank you so much, Amisha! I agree, I love sweet and salty foods! I really hope your kids enjoyed it a much as we did! And yes, please let me know how it turns out! Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend! 😉
Amisha says
October 30, 2015 at 11:30 pmOmg!!!!! I made this tonight and my family is enjoying the deliciousness right now as I type this to You!! It’s turned out fantastic exactly as you described it! The time and recipe contents were on the dot! If you write a book and you need a recipe tester please count me in !!! Can I please use one of your post pics to put it on IG? I have to let social media know how good it was! I could not take a pic cause of it being so dark Thanks my friend ! Awesome ❤️
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
October 31, 2015 at 11:28 amYay, I’m SO glad you and your family enjoyed it, Amisha! We made several batches this week and they’re already all gone, haha! You can definitely use any pic that you’d like! Thank you so much for your feedback and your kind words 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend, sweet friend!
Emilie Burke (@burkedoes) says
October 29, 2015 at 3:49 pmThis looks so delicious!
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says
October 29, 2015 at 10:56 pmThank you, Emilie!