Imagine settling in for a cozy movie night, craving something sweet, crunchy, and utterly addictive—caramel popcorn is the perfect answer! It’s the kind of treat that takes you back to childhood movie nights, fun carnivals, or those cozy evenings when all you want is a little indulgence. The best part? You don’t need any fancy equipment or a candy thermometer to make it! With just four simple ingredients and a microwave, you can whip up a batch of rich, golden caramel popcorn in no time. The deep, molasses-kissed sweetness of brown sugar, the luxurious creaminess of butter and fresh cream, and the light, crispy popcorn come together to create a snack that’s both nostalgic and addictive. Whether you’re making it for a weekend movie marathon, a homemade edible gift, or just because you’re craving something sweet and crunchy, this microwave caramel popcorn will hit the spot every single time. Get ready to make your kitchen smell like a caramel wonderland—because once you taste this, you’ll never go back to store-bought popcorn again!
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE
- Less than 10 minutes
- Eggless
- Microwave recipe
- Simple and quick
- 4-ingredient
INGREDIENTS USED IN MAKING CARAMEL POPCORN IN MICROWAVE
Fresh cream
The fresh cream balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and butter, giving the caramel a smooth, velvety texture. The fat content in cream helps thicken the caramel, making it the perfect consistency to coat the popcorn. Without cream, the caramel could become too thick and difficult to mix with the popcorn. I have used this fresh cream in this recipe.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is a key ingredient in making the caramel sauce, and it serves multiple important functions. Unlike white sugar, brown sugar contains molasses, which gives the caramel a rich, toffee-like taste. The moisture from molasses helps the caramel remain smooth and slightly chewy, making it easier to coat the popcorn. The slightly softer texture of brown sugar caramel (compared to white sugar caramel) ensures that the popcorn is coated evenly without becoming too hard.
Butter
Without butter, the caramel could become too stiff and crunchy. The fat in butter ensures a soft, slightly chewy texture. Butter adds a rich, buttery taste that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and the slight bitterness of the caramelization process. Butter contributes to the shiny, smooth appearance of the caramel, making the popcorn visually appealing. It blends with the brown sugar and cream to create a homogeneous caramel sauce, preventing sugar crystallization.
Popcorn
Of course you need popcorn to make caramel popcorn. The basic popcorn in a microwave works best and is easy too. I have used these but you can use any. The light, airy texture of popcorn provides the perfect crunch to contrast the smooth, sticky caramel.
EQUIPMENTS USED IN MAKING CARAMEL POPCORN IN MICROWAVE
It’s an easy recipe so it doesn’t require a lot of equipment.
My set of Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons always come in handy and are the most important part of any recipe.
Apart from this, a good mixing bowl to combine everything is necessary. You also need a microwave to heat the caramel and a spatula to combine all the ingredients.
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TIPS TO MAKE THIS CARAMEL POPCORN IN MICROWAVE
- Stale popcorn won’t give the best crunch. Make a fresh batch just before caramelizing.
- Use a large bowl for mixing and tossing.
- Brown sugar caramel can burn quickly in the microwave, so stirring prevents scorching.
- Butter and cream should not be too cold; this helps the caramel come together smoothly. Use them at room temperature.
- If the caramel isn’t thick enough after 3 minutes, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time. This can happen as microwave power varies.
- It should be thick but pourable. If too runny, microwave for another 30 seconds. If too thick, add 1 tbsp of warm cream and mix.
- If the caramel popcorn is still chewy after cooling, microwave in short bursts of 30 seconds or bake in an oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5-7 minutes.
- 1 packet popcorn
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup fresh cream
- Make the popcorn in the microwave as per the packet instructions.
- For the caramel, add brown sugar, butter and cream in a bowl and combine once with a spatula so that everything comes together.
- Heat in a microwave at regular heating mode for 3 mins. Make sure to stop after every minute and stir the caramel. This prevents the caramel from burning.
- It should be thick and coat the back of a spoon.
- Pour the caramel over the cooked popcorn and toss it well till the caramel is evenly coated among the popcorn.
- Lay them in a single layer over a baking tray and let them dry till it becomes crunchy.
If you like my Caramel Popcorn In Microwave recipe and happen to make them in your kitchen, do tag me on Instagram and share pictures with me using #Bakewithshivesh. Happy Baking!
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