Name: Pumpkin Spice Caramel Popcorn
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 10 cups
Cuisine: American

Knead Some Sweets Verified

January 26, 2026

This Pumpkin Spice Caramel Popcorn is coated in buttery vanilla pumpkin spice caramel and baked to crunchy perfection.

From the Cook

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Pumpkin Spice Caramel Popcorn

Knead Some Sweets Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, salt, and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the baking soda, spices, and vanilla.

Immediately pour over the popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Working quickly, stir the popcorn using a spatula until evenly coated with the caramel mixture. Fold in the nuts, if using. Spread into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes (this avoids ending up with one giant blob of caramel corn and helps it get crunchy). Remove from the oven and let cool down on the baking sheet. The caramel corn will harden and crisp up as it cools. Enjoy!

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Precise Spice Toasting 🌶️
Gently toast whole spices like cinnamon and nutmeg in a dry skillet for 30-60 seconds before grinding to intensify their aromatic oils and deepen the pumpkin spice flavor profile.
Caramel Consistency Hack 🍯
Use a candy thermometer to ensure your caramel reaches exactly 250-255°F (firm ball stage) for the perfect chewy-crisp texture that coats popcorn evenly without becoming sticky or burnt.
Even Coating Technique 🥄
Pour the hot caramel over popcorn in a large, rimmed baking sheet and use a silicone spatula to gently fold and turn, ensuring every kernel gets an even, thorough coating without crushing the popcorn.
Nut Preparation Pro Tip 🥜
Lightly toast pecans in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes before adding to the caramel popcorn to enhance their natural oils and create a more complex, nutty flavor.
Crisp and Cool Method 🍿
After baking, spread the caramel popcorn on parchment paper and let it cool completely at room temperature to achieve maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy clusters.