A treasured family recipe, Mary's Sticky Popcorn is the best Soft Caramel Corn recipe ever! It is everything wonderful about homemade caramel popcorn; and despite its nickname, it's not sticky at all!
Today I am sharing a very special treat; one my girls grew up calling Sticky Popcorn (although it's not sticky at all). This ridiculously easy caramel corn recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make, and will completely turn your idea of caramel corn on its head!
But first, I want to tell you about Mary.
This post may contain affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite.
Back when my oldest girls were little (before some were even born), we lived in a cul-de-sac, three doors down from my BFF Cheryl. Next to Cheryl lived a little woman named Mary, age 90ish. Mary lived on her own long past the time when most folks need to have more assistance, and I learned a lot by watching her.
Mary was able to stay independent for so long for two reasons: First, she lived next door to Cheryl and her family. (If you know them, that is all the explanation you need: they are amazing examples of loving and serving their neighbors.) Second, Mary learned to adapt.
My favorite example of Mary's modifying life to meet her needs was her Christmas tree. Mary kept a fully decked Christmas tree year round. The tree was only about three or four feet tall, and it sat eleven months out of the year in her garage, protected by a white plastic garbage bag tied closed at the top of the tree.
Every December, Mary would ask someone would bring her tree in from the garage, sit it on a little table, and untie the twist-tie that held the bag closed. (One year, I was the someone who got to put up Mary's tree. I felt so special!)
Once her tree was standing on its little table, Mary would carefully pull down the bag to reveal the tree already hanging with ornaments. Then she arranged the bag around the base like a tree skirt, and stand back to enjoy her beautiful decorations.
When the holidays were over, someone would go over to Mary's, pull the bag back up to the top and tie it off, and then put her little tree back in the garage until the following Christmas.
Brilliant!
Which brings me back to Sticky Popcorn.
Every Christmas season, Mary would make her soft caramel corn recipe. As the buttery-sweet popcorn cooled, she formed it into popcorn balls, which she later handed out to the neighborhood kids for the holiday.
Normally, I don’t like popcorn balls at all. Never have. They are hard and stick to your teeth, and the popcorn in them is always gross. In fact, the first time one of my girls offered me a bite of Mary's caramel corn, I turned her down.
But then I noticed that, as she ate it, there was no distinctive crunch-crunch-crunching and side-of–mouth biting going on, like there always was with typical rock-solid popcorn balls. Instead, my daughter was taking neat little bites and chewing them with satisfaction, making her way around the popcorn ball as if she was eating an ice cream cone.
So I snuck a little bite. And another. And then another. (Good thing she was just a toddler, or I would have never gotten away with that many bites!)
I soon discovered that Mary’s popcorn balls were different from any I had ever had, in all the best ways. The caramel was soft and didn't stick to my teeth; the texture was smooth and buttery; and in addition to being easy to eat, the caramel popcorn itself was absolutely delicious!
As soon as I could, I asked Mary for the recipe and was floored by the simplicity of it - just five ingredients, including the popcorn!
I was soon making Mary’s caramel corn as a family treat almost weekly, although we dispensed with the "popcorn ball” model almost immediately. Now we always just eat it straight from the bowl. This caramel corn recipe - now a family tradition - is everything wonderful about homemade caramel popcorn; and despite it's nickname, it's not sticky at all!
Mostly, it's just wonderful.
Mary has been gone for many years now, but every time I make Sticky Popcorn, I think of her. I asked Mary once what the best thing about getting old was, and I will never forget what she said:
By the time you get to be about 80, you can say anything you want to, because no matter what you say, people either think you’re wise or you’re crazy.
So now, my friends, I am passing this little bit of Mary's wisdom onto you. Enjoy!
How to Make Soft Caramel Popcorn
Pop the popcorn and set aside in an extra-large bowl or roasting pan.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining ingredients.
Stirring constantly, melt butter and heat mixture on medium until it reaches a full, rolling boil. (This is a boil that cannot be stirred down.) Boil for 1 minute, and then remove from heat.
If you have one, you can check the temperature with a candy thermometer at this time. It should read 200° F [94° C]. (If you don't have a candy thermometer, don't worry: in more than 20 years of making this recipe, the only time I've ever checked the temp was to prep for this post!)
Immediately remove the sugar-butter mix from heat and pour over popcorn.
Stir popcorn with wooden spoon until popcorn is all coated with caramel.
You need to do the pouring-stirring step very quickly! My caramel got a little too cool because I was stopping the process to take pictures. If you watch the video, you can see that it is already getting stiff when I’m stirring the caramel in. If you do pour the caramel and stir it right away, without stopping in the middle to take a half a million pictures and video, it will stir in very smoothly.
When popcorn is evenly coated, allow it to cool. Enjoy it as is, or form into balls if desired.
Best Ever Soft Caramel Popcorn
Equipment
- Large, heavy saucepan
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pop popcorn and set aside in an extra-large bowl or roasting pan.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining ingredients.
- Stirring constantly, melt butter and heat mixture on medium until it reaches a full, rolling boil. (This is a boil that cannot be stirred down.) Boil 1 minute.
- Remove from heat. If you are want to, you can check the temperature with a candy thermometer. It should read 200° F [94° C].Note: This is the first time I have checked the temperature for this caramel, ever. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, no worries! Just boil it for one minute, and you’ll be golden!
- Immediately remove from heat and pour over popcorn. Stir popcorn with wooden spoon until popcorn is all coated with caramel.Immediately remove from heat and pour over popcorn. Stir popcorn with wooden spoon until popcorn is all coated with caramel. You need to do this step very quickly! NOTE: My caramel got a little too cool because I was stopping the process to take pictures. If you watch the video, you can see that it is already getting stiff when I’m stirring the caramel in. If you do pour the caramel and stir it right away, without stopping in the middle to take a half a million pictures and video, it will stir in very smoothly.
- Stir and mix to cool. Form into balls if desired.
Video
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Have you ever had Nuts & Bolts? It's another one of our favorite family snacks - perfect for the holidays!
So just how good is this caramel corn, anyway?
Mr. B always says he doesn't much like popcorn. Which must be why the first time I made Sticky Popcorn for him, he ate almost half a batch! All by himself!! Allow me to quote him: "This (nom-nom-nom) popcorn is (nom-nom) really (nom-nom) really (nom-nom-nom) delicious!
When I updated this post in 2019 with new process photos, more concise directions, and a how-to video. (Thanks for the music, Mr. B!) So of course, I had to make a batch of Mary's caramel corn recipe for picture-taking purposes, right? Well, guess who ate more than half the batch by the time I got done editing images?
I'm not naming names, but his name rhymes with Mr. G.
Seriously, this stuff is really tasty, folks.
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UPDATE: This post was first published December 10, 2013.
thedoseofreality says
First of all, Mary sounds amazing, and I absolutely love her words of wisdom! Secondly, that popcorn recipe sounds DELICIOUS! I am definitely making that this holiday season! Finally, hope you have a very happy SITS day! 🙂
Renée ♥ says
Thank you for stopping in! Those words of Mary's have always stayed with me, and I'm glad to pass them on, along with her delicious recipe!
Christa says
Congrats on your SITS Day!
We're a veg family of four so I'm psyched to look around 🙂
Renée ♥ says
I've learned that most "food blogs" - vegetarian or not - have a lot to offer veggie families - some just make you work harder to find it!
Cori O'Shaughnessy says
Happy SITS Day! This popcorn sounds delicious, and I love the story that inspired it.
Have a great day!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed reading about Mary!
Barbara says
Love everything about this post. Mary sounds like an amazing person, and I love her wise words about getting old. I hope you have a great SITS Day!
Renée ♥ says
I hope to still be passing her wisdom down when I'm 90ish!
Story Paige says
Renee, both your receipe and blog design look great!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you!
Pam says
Oh my gosh, Mary sounds wonderful, and so does the popcorn. So nice to find your fun blog via SITS. Have a great day!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you for stopping in, Pam! I checked you blog - thank you so much for the post about the free classes on Craftsy. I plan to look into that more thoroughly. (Because I don't have enough to do.)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Happy SITS Day 🙂
Julie Moore says
Happy SITS Day! I hope it is an amazing one for you!
That recipe looks delicious! Definitely bookmarking for later - we are a HUGE popcorn fan family! 🙂
Brittany says
The kids here would love Mary's Sticky Popcorn! Happy SITS Day!
Renée ♥ says
Enjoy! P.S. I read your most recent post: don't stress so much about things being weird. I'm from Portland - Weird is good.
Dana says
We are having our second snow day in a row today, so this popcorn is being made TODAY. I'm all out of eggs so I can't bake anything but I have all these ingredients. You are a lifesaver Renee - thank you! Hope you have a fabulous SITS day.
Renée ♥ says
Timing is everything, isn't it! Have a wonderful snow day, and I hope Sticky Popcorn becomes a tradition at your house too!
Lisa Green says
This recipe sounds easy and great to have with a housefull of hungry teens!
Emily says
I knew when you asked for pics that my parents likely had some somewhere. I love the post and when you bring it up I remember the popcorn too. I will for surely be making some this week.
Renée ♥ says
Your Dad brought the pictures over late last night - he said it was easier than figuring out how to scan them on their printer! Your parents are the most wonderful people - but you already know that. ♥
Pech says
What a wonderful tribute to what sounds like an amazing woman! I love that little detail of the story of her year round Christmas tree! I'm with you on the lack of interest in popcorn balls, but the fact that you (and your husband) were turned around by this recipe means I HAVE to try it. Thanks for sharing the story of Mary, and it really embodies the holiday spirit of remembering and appreciating everyone in your life, past and present.
Renée ♥ says
Thank you for your incredibly thoughtful comments, Pech! This time of year always gets me thinking about the people who have touched my life for good.
Carla says
What a great story and what a great recipe. Thank you for telling us about Mary. It makes the recipe all that more special! What a special person you are for keeping her memory alive!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you, Carla! I think it is so important to remember folks who have touched our lives, even in small ways. It gives me hope for my own legacy too - that maybe someone will want to pass a bit who I am along someday too.
Rachel Lavern says
Stopped by to wish you a Happy SITS Day. Enjoy!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you! (It is!!!)
Emily @ Words I Wheel By says
Stopping by from SITS, and so glad I did, because this looks delicious!
Barb says
I love that story about the instant Christmas tree! I bet this popcorn wouldn't last long in my house. Must give it a go. Visiting via SITS.
Yvonne @ Dress This Nest says
Yum! Reminds me of popcorn balls!
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat. says
This sounds amazing! I'm like you in that I don't like that crack your jaw hard caramel corn you usually get, so I'll have to give this recipe a try and see if I actually like caramel corn after all!
Renée ♥ says
You really should - it's a completely different experience in caramel corn eating!
Ashley R says
What a sweet story of Mary. She seems to have been a wonderful soul. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Renée ♥ says
Mary was a wonderful example of how to age right!
Raia Todd says
What a fun treat! My kids will love this. 🙂 Thank you!
Renée ♥ says
That they will! You're welcome!
Irina says
I do not think I could stop eating this caramel popcorn! I could become addicted. Making it right now!
Renée ♥ says
That is exactly what happens with my husband. He starts eating it and then the bowl is empty! You are going to love it!
Patty at Spoonabilities says
What a wonderful story AND wonderful recipe! I never realized how easy it is to make caramel popcorn!
Alison says
This is a perfectly simple popcorn recipe for those cozy movie nights at home.
Renée ♥ says
Exactly!
Erika says
This looks like the best popcorn ever. Definitely making this.
Renée ♥ says
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Sarah says
This looks like just the thing for a family Christmas Eve movie snack! My kids love popcorn!
Renée ♥ says
It would be perfect for Christmas Eve! ?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Such a fun sweet treat for holiday snacking!
Renée ♥ says
It definitely is!
Vicky says
I love the story associated with this! Mary sounds like a delightful woman and I know she would be proud to see her tradition living on in this way. I can't wait to try this!
Renée ♥ says
Thanks so much for the kind words, Vicky. ?
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Oooo! I can't wait to make this! I love to snack on popcorn, and the caramel puts it over the top!