How To Make Werther’s Caramel Popcorn

The Kernel
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How do you make the perfect movie night snack? Everyone loves popcorn, but sometimes it can get boring. This recipe is a great way to spice up your favorite movie night snacks and add some fun flavor!

How To Make Werther’s Caramel Popcorn

It’s better to make your own popcorn because you can control exactly what goes into it. It’s healthier than store-bought and tastes amazing.

Plus, there are no preservatives or artificial flavors in homemade popcorn. You can even use this as an easy appetizer for any party.

Keep on reading to find out how to make Werther’s Caramel Popcorn!

What Are Werther’s? 

Werther’s candies were first introduced by German confectioners in 1847. They are named after the town of Werther where they were invented.

The candy was originally marketed as a treat for Grandparent’s to give to their grandchildren… how wholesome is that! Today, Werther’s are still made using natural ingredients like honey, sugar, and vanilla. They are a delicious crunchy caramel treat. 

You can find them in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. If you don’t see them, ask your local grocer if they have them.

How To Make Werther’s Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients

  • 1 cup popcorn kernels (or 1/2 cup popped corn)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Werther’s Caramel candies

Instructions

Step One

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Step Two

Add popcorn kernels to a large pot over medium heat.

Step Three

Cover and let pop until all the kernels start popping. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Set aside this bowl. 

Step Four

In a small saucepan combine butter, brown sugar, salt, and corn syrup. Stir well.

Step Five

Mix well, and add your soft Werther’s caramels. Stir continuously until combined. When doing this step, keep the heat on medium, and constantly stir. This will prevent any burning and sticking, 

Step Six

After a few minutes, remove from the heat and stir in water and vanilla.

Step Seven

Pour mixture over popcorn and toss to coat evenly. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Step Eight

Leave to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!

How Is Caramel Made? 

How Is Caramel Made? 

Caramel is basically just sugar boiled down to its simplest form. Sugar molecules bond together when heated, creating a sticky substance that is very sweet. 

When you cook sugar, the process creates different types of compounds called “caramels.” There are two main types of caramels: hard and soft.

Hard caramels are brittle and have a higher melting point than soft caramels. Soft caramels melt easily and are usually used in desserts.

Soft caramels are made by heating granulated sugar, cream of tartar, and water until the sugar dissolves into a clear liquid. Then, the temperature is raised slowly while stirring constantly.

As soon as the sugar starts to turn golden, it is removed from the heat and poured onto a greased pan. After cooling, the caramel is cut into pieces and stored in airtight containers.

Hard caramels are made similarly except that cream of tartar is not added. Instead, powdered milk is added during the initial stages of the recipe. This prevents the caramel from crystallizing once it has cooled.

How Do You Know What Kind Of Caramel You Have? 

There are several ways to tell which type of caramel you have. One way is to look at the color. A hard caramel will be a deep amber color. A soft caramel will be more yellowish. 

Another method is to use a candy thermometer. The ideal temperature for making both kinds of caramels is 300 °F. At this temperature, the sugar solution reaches a specific stage called the “soft ball” stage. It takes about 20-25 minutes to reach this stage. 

Once the caramel reaches this point, it is safe to add flavorings such as vanilla or chocolate chips. If the caramel gets too hot, it can burn your mouth. So keep an eye on it and don’t leave it unattended.

What Are Some Other Ways To Make Caramel? 

There are many other methods for making caramel besides the classic stove top technique. For example, you can microwave the ingredients instead of using a pot and a burner. Or, if you want to go old school, you can use a double boiler.

What Is The Difference Between Candy And Caramel? 

Candy is a general term for any sugary treat. But what makes one candy different from the next is how much sugar it contains.

Most candy contains less than 50% sugar. That means there is still plenty of room for additional sugars like molasses, honey, or maple syrup. By contrast, most caramels contain around 60% sugar.

Candy also tends to be brightly colored. Caramel is typically darker because it contains so much sugar

How Long Does Caramel Last? 

The shelf life of caramels depends on the brand. Some brands last up to three years. Others only last a few months.

Because of this variation, it is best to buy small amounts of caramel and store them in airtight containers. This way they won’t spoil before you get a chance to eat them all!

Where Can I Find Caramels? 

Caramels are available in supermarkets and specialty stores. They are often sold individually or in packages containing multiple flavors.

Many people prefer buying their caramels online. Online sellers offer free shipping and some even include gift wrapping services.

How Do I Buy Werther’s?

Werther’s caramels come in two varieties: regular and extra sweet. Regular caramels are usually found in boxes with a red label. Extra sweet caramels are labeled blue. Both types of caramels are available in individual bags.

What Do Werther’s Originals Taste Like? 

Werther’s originals taste just like rich buttery candies. They’re very rich and creamy. They have a strong caramel flavor but no aftertaste.

When you bite into a piece of Werther’s caramel, you’ll notice that it has a smooth texture. It melts easily in your mouth. These pieces are made by rolling melted caramel between sheets of wax paper.

Then they are cut into squares. However, Werther’s Originals are hard candies, and as such, they cannot be used to make popcorn, at least not when they are in hard form.

How Much Sugar Should I Use When Making Caramels?

It doesn’t matter how much sugar you use when making caramels. However, you should always start with a ratio of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water. You may need to adjust this depending on the recipe you follow.

Can I Add Anything Else To My Caramels?

You can add anything else you’d like to your caramels. Chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows, coconut, etc. are common.

Final Thoughts 

Werther’s caramels are delicious, and they make an excellent topping for popcorn. But don’t stop there! Try adding them to ice cream, cake, brownies, cookies, and more. They will enhance almost any dessert.

Thank you for reading!

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