Name: Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil (not required if air popping with a popcorn maker); 1/3 cup popping corn (yields 10 cups popped popcorn for lighter caramel coverage); 2/3 cup slivered almonds; 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup (170g) light corn syrup (or glucose syrup as substitute); 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 3 tsp cinnamon powder; 2 tsp ginger powder; 1/2 tsp allspice powder (or more cinnamon); 1/4 tsp ground cloves (or more cinnamon)

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 123 reviews

If you’re looking for a festive snack that will wow your family and friends, you’ve got to try this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe. I absolutely love how the warm cinnamon, ginger, and cloves blend perfectly with sweet, buttery caramel-coated popcorn—and that little crunch of slivered almonds just puts it over the top. Whether you’re prepping for holiday parties or cozying up for a movie night, this treat is my go-to because it’s easy to make, tastes amazing, and smells like Christmas in your kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Flavor Boost: The blend of Christmas spices adds a cozy, nostalgic warmth to every crunchy bite.
Perfect Sweetness: The caramel coats the popcorn just right—not too sticky, not too sugary.
Simple yet Impressive: You don’t need fancy ingredients or techniques to nail this recipe.
Long-Lasting Crisp: When stored properly, this popcorn stays fresh and crunchy for weeks.

Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe lies in combining simple pantry staples with festive spices that make the flavors pop. I recommend using fresh spices and good-quality butter for the best taste—you’ll find the difference is worth it!

Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe - Ingredients

Popping corn: I prefer kernels over microwave popcorn—they give you more control and a fresher taste.
Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for popping popcorn on the stovetop.
Slivered almonds: These add a pleasant crunch and subtle nuttiness that pairs beautifully with caramel.
Butter (unsalted): Unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness, so the popcorn isn’t overly salty.
Brown sugar: Packed brown sugar helps create that rich caramel flavor and beautiful color.
Corn syrup (light): This stabilizes the caramel to prevent crystallization; glucose syrup is a fine substitute.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweet flavors and balances the caramel.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the caramel sauce.
Baking soda: This ingredient lightens the caramel by creating tiny bubbles during mixing.
Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, ground cloves: The quintessential Christmas spices that bring all the holiday feels.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe by swapping spices or adding mix-ins to suit different tastes and occasions. Feel free to tailor it to your own flavor preferences!

Nutty Upgrade: I sometimes swap almonds for pecans or walnuts for a different crunch and flavor profile.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix for a subtle warm kick that guests always notice.
Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some dark or white chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled popcorn for a decadent festive treat.
Vegan Adaptation: Use coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup instead of corn syrup, then bake a little longer to get that perfect crisp.

How to Make Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Step 1: Pop Your Popcorn to Perfection

Begin by heating the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Drop in a couple of kernels and wait for them to pop—this tells you the oil is hot enough. Then, add the rest of the popping corn all at once. Cover with a lid and gently shake the pot once the popcorn starts popping to ensure even cooking. When the popping slows down to about three seconds between pops, take it off the heat and pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Be sure to use a big bowl—this recipe yields plenty of popcorn, and you want room to toss it with all that yummy caramel sauce!

Step 2: Craft the Luscious Christmas-Spiced Caramel

While the popcorn is cooling just a bit, preheat your oven to 110°C (230°F). Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt until combined. As soon as the mixture begins to bubble, simmer it gently for 4 minutes—don’t stir during this time to keep the caramel smooth. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the Christmas spices, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The caramel will foam up beautifully—this is exactly what you want! Work quickly to pour this fragrant, glossy caramel over the popcorn and toss immediately to coat every kernel.

Step 3: Add Almonds and Bake to Crisp

Sprinkle the slivered almonds over your caramel-coated popcorn and give everything a good toss so they’re evenly distributed. Spread the popcorn onto two baking trays lined with parchment paper, then pop them into the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring and tossing every 10 minutes. I discovered this step really is key—first tosses melt the caramel again, helping it to coat the popcorn evenly, and by the end, you’re left with perfectly crisp and sticky clusters of holiday goodness. If you used glucose syrup instead of corn syrup, let it bake for an extra 15 minutes to get that ideal texture.

Step 4: Cool and Break Into Pieces

Remove the trays from the oven and let the popcorn cool completely in the pans. As it cools, the caramel hardens into a beautifully shiny, crackly coating. When cooled, gently break the popcorn into bite-sized pieces and store them in an airtight container. Trust me, this popcorn stays crisp and delicious for 2 to 3 weeks if kept sealed—perfect for gifting or snacking over the holidays!

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Don’t Rush the Popping: Preheating the oil with a couple of kernels ensures the right temperature so your popcorn pops evenly without burning.
No Stirring During Simmer: I’ve learned that stirring caramel as it simmers causes unwanted graininess, so be patient and let it bubble undisturbed.
Mix the Baking Soda in Quickly: Whisk it vigorously to get that foaming that aerates the caramel for a lighter coating—don’t skip this step!
Use a Large Bowl: Tossing caramel popcorn is messy—using a big bowl makes mixing much easier and prevents sticky spills.

How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar on top for an added festive look when serving. Sometimes, I throw in a few fresh cranberries or dried cherries for a pop of color and a subtle tart contrast that makes every bite exciting.

Side Dishes

This popcorn pairs wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced cider or a cup of rich hot chocolate. For parties, I serve it alongside cheese boards—its sweet, spicy crunch complements savory cheeses like sharp cheddar or creamy brie beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday I turned this into a charming gift by scooping the popcorn into clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons. For a party, I’ve used festive tins and hand-decorated jars that people loved taking home. You could even make mini popcorn cones from parchment paper for cute individual servings at your holiday table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover caramel popcorn in large airtight containers or resealable bags at room temperature. Keeping air out is key to preserving that crispness. It stays delicious for weeks—though with how tasty it is, you might not have leftovers at all!

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this popcorn myself often, some friends have told me that freezing in a well-sealed bag can extend freshness. Just be sure to thaw completely at room temperature to avoid condensation making it soggy.

Reheating

If you need to revive slightly soft popcorn, I pop it in a low oven (about 120°C/250°F) for 5-10 minutes—keep an eye on it to prevent burning! This technique restores the crispness without melting the caramel.

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe without corn syrup?

Yes! If you don’t have corn syrup, you can substitute with glucose syrup or golden syrup. Just note that baking time might need to be extended by about 15 minutes to get your popcorn perfectly crisp because these alternatives have more moisture.
How do I avoid burnt popcorn or caramel?

Keep an eye on your popcorn as it pops and shake the pot gently for even cooking. For the caramel, don’t stir when simmering and watch carefully so it doesn’t boil too vigorously. Using medium heat helps to control both steps easily.
Can I use pre-popped popcorn?

It’s best to pop your own using kernels to ensure even coating and freshness. Pre-popped popcorn is often pre-salted and may not hold the caramel coating as well, resulting in a less crunchy texture.
What if I don’t have all the Christmas spices?

No worries! You can use just cinnamon as a base if that’s what you have, or substitute missing spices with more cinnamon. The caramel is still delicious, just a bit less complex in flavor.
How long does this popcorn keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn stays fresh and crunchy for 2-3 weeks. It’s perfect for making ahead of holiday events or gifting!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is a little holiday miracle in my kitchen every year. It’s such a simple way to fill your home with festive aromas and bring smiles to everyone who tastes it. I honestly can’t recommend it enough—once you try it, I bet it’ll become your own seasonal staple. So grab your big mixing bowl, pop that popcorn, and get ready for some seriously addictive holiday snacking!