Christmas Marshmallow Caramel Corn is a festive and delicious treat that combines crunchy popcorn, gooey caramel, and sweet marshmallows for a perfect holiday snack. This is an easy recipe to make and share with family and friends during the holiday season!
Ingredients:
- 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s (optional, for festive color)
Directions:
- Prepare the popcorn:
- Pop the popcorn using an air popper, stovetop, or microwave. Remove any unpopped kernels and place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Make the caramel sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally. Once it starts to boil, let it cook for 4-5 minutes without stirring to allow the caramel to thicken. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
- Add baking soda and vanilla:
- Remove the caramel sauce from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so be careful.
- Coat the popcorn:
- Pour the caramel sauce over the popped popcorn, stirring gently to coat the popcorn evenly. Make sure the popcorn is well-covered in caramel.
- Add marshmallows:
- Immediately after stirring the caramel, add the mini marshmallows to the popcorn and gently fold them into the caramel-coated popcorn mixture. The marshmallows will start to melt slightly, creating a gooey texture.
- Add M&M’s (optional):
- If using M&M’s for a festive touch, stir them in once the popcorn is fully coated with caramel and marshmallows.
- Let it cool:
- Spread the marshmallow caramel popcorn mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray to cool and harden. This will help the caramel set and prevent the pieces from sticking together.
- Serve:
- Once the popcorn has cooled and the caramel has set, break it into pieces and enjoy! Store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
This Christmas Marshmallow Caramel Corn is a sweet, salty, and festive treat that’s perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or simply enjoying as a cozy snack with loved ones.
