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Happy Holidays! Today I am sharing my favorite confection recipe; Suzi’s Easy Toffee Popcorn with Chocolate Drizzle.

Stick around because you are going to love it! Maybe too much. 😂

Suzi was my next-door neighbor for 15 years. They were the cherished years as our children were growing up.❤️ We saw a lot of life together.

She is an amazing cook and could run circles around me in any kitchen.

I learned so much from her about the finer points of running a household and feeding a family.

Homemade Gifts

Toffee Popcorn is just one of Suzi’s holiday specialties.

It’s popcorn coated with caramel and drizzled with white and semi-sweet chocolate. It is sweet, chewy, and incredibly delicious. It also makes a lovely gift.

Make a big batch, divide it up, then wrap each in pretty packaging to give to friends, neighbors, teachers, or a health care worker in your life.

Toffee Popcorn, Caramel corn, Carmel Popcorn, or Cracker Jack

Whatever you call it, it’s delicious!

Toffee Popcorn, Caramel Corn, Caramel Popcorn, or Cracker Jack; sometimes, these names are used interchangeably.

What’s the difference between toffee and caramel?

Toffee and caramel are both created by slowly and carefully heating sugar, usually with butter.

Traditionally caramel is softer because it includes cream, milk, or condensed milk.

Toffee is primarily just sugar and butter. Both are a light golden color and are used in various desserts.

The main difference is that toffee tends to be hard and crunchy, while the caramel is soft and chewy.

Caramel is typically made into candies and sauces, while toffee is used in bars and brittles.

Tips and Troubleshooting

If you are thinking, “I can’t make candy!” Please do not be intimidated! You can totally do this!

This recipe doesn’t even require a candy thermometer. (Which is just one of the reasons I LOVE it so much!)

Here are some pointers to get it right the first time.

Don’t forget the Baking Soda

Numero uno. Baking soda might seem like a weird ingredient to use, but it is crucial to toffee popcorn and caramel corn.

So don’t forget to add the baking soda! Been there, done that MANY times!

Baking soda will make the sugar molecules break up, which will help prevent them from crystallizing.

The baking soda enables the caramel to have a soft, smooth texture that sticks to the popcorn and keeps it from getting tough.

I usually pre-measure the baking soda and have the teaspoon sitting right next to the saucepan (along with the vanilla), so I don’t forget. 😂

Remove the Popcorn Kernels

Don’t forget to remove the unpopped kernels, especially if you give the popcorn as a gift!

After you have popped all of the corn, shake up the bowl, and they will all fall to the bottom. Scoop up the good stuff with a large spoon or clean hands.

You can also lay the popcorn on a cooling rack and use it as a sifter. The popcorn kernels will drop through, and your popcorn will stay on the rack.

Keep Toffee Popcorn Fresh

To keep your popcorn fresh, store it in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Press out as much air as you can. The better the seal, the longer it will stay fresh.

You should be able to store it at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks.

Why is my Caramel Popcorn Grainy?

Grainy caramel or crystalized caramel is the sandy, grainy appearance that happens when the sugar crystals in the caramel stick together.

This can happen when the melted sugar splatters up on the cool sides of the pan. The sugar compound loses its moisture and returns to sugar crystals.

To prevent this from happening, gently fold the mixture, and avoid splashing the caramel to help the sugar melt uniformly. If sugars do splash up on the pan, simply add more water to the mixture.

Heat again, and the water will help the sugar crystals to dissolve again.

Don’t forget to use baking soda also. It will help by breaking up the sugar molecules.

Toffee Popcorn Ingredients

Popcorn
Brown Sugar
Corn Syrup
Butter
Baking Soda not pictured
Vanilla Extract
Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
White Chocolate Chips

1. Put popcorn in a roaster or on a rimmed sheet pan

What kind of Popcorn should I use?

The choice of popcorn is totally up to you.

Cook popcorn using your preferred method, whether it be stovetop or microwave popcorn. You cannot make a bad choice here, IMO.

I chose a super-pure formula, white with no butter. It’s one healthier choice I can make amidst all of the sugar. 😂

Some people swear by full-on butter and salted theater popcorn, elevating the caramelly butter effect.

2. Place the first four ingredients in a saucepan

Recipe Variations

There are many opinions on the best way to make these delectable treats. Here are various options to try after you have mastered this recipe.

Experiment with the Amount of Corn Syrup

Changing the amount of corn syrup will give you different results.

This recipe makes a thinner “sauce” with greater popcorn coverage because it uses more corn syrup.

It will also give you a lighter-colored end product than most true caramel corn.

To achieve a darker and thicker sauce consistency, just use less corn syrup and/or cook longer.

I use 1/2-3/4 cups of corn syrup for darker-colored caramel corn.

3. Boil for 5 minutes

Modify the Popcorn to Sauce Ratio

If you like complete and thorough toffee coverage, use less popcorn, but if you prefer more popcorn peeking out, use more popcorn. Easy-peasy!

You can easily adjust the amount of popcorn to achieve your desired outcome.

4. Pour the toffee mixture over the popcorn

Vary the Bake Time

Choose your preferred baking times depending on your personal preference. If you like your Toffee Popcorn crispier, cook it longer, but if you prefer it chewier, cook it for less time.

Adjust the Boiling Time

If you boil the caramel for a shorter period (say 2 minutes), your popcorn will be chewier. But if you boil it longer (for 5 minutes), it will be crisper.

5. Drizzle with semi-sweet & white chocolate

Popcorn Ideas

Another delicious way to customize toffee popcorn is to add in more indulgent goodies. Here are some salty-sweet ideas to get you started! Experiment to see which you like best.

Honey roasted peanuts
Almonds
Cashews
Potato chips or
Chocolate-covered potato chips
Pretzels
Sea salt

Equipment and Tools

These are just a few of the kitchen items I use. Affiliate links are in blue.

Aluminum Baker’s Half Sheet Pans
Roasting Pan
Cooling Rack
Parchment Paper

And without further ado, below is the recipe!

Recipe Card powered by

Nutrition Label. The nutritional values listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card. Actual amounts may vary.

More Yummy Desserts

Below are more delicious chocolate recipes to try!

The Easiest Chocolate Cake Ever
PB Rice Krispie Bars
My Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate and Sea Salt
All Dessert Index
All Recipe Index

I’m sure you will love this recipe as much as we do. Thanks, Suzi, for sharing the love! ❤️

xo,
Cindy

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Suzi’s Easy Toffee Popcorn with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe