Mommysavers

Frugal Moms Living Well for Less

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Cooking
    • Cookies
    • Copycat Recipes
    • Crock Pot Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Freezer Meals
    • Frugal Recipes
  • Holidays
    • Back to School
    • Birthdays
    • Christmas
      • Gift Ideas
      • Elf on the Shelf
    • Easter
    • Halloween
      • Costumes
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Frugal Living
    • Leftovers
    • Repurposing
    • Crafts
    • Saving Money
  • Hobbies & Home
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Organization
    • Time Management
    • Simple Living
  • Family Fun
    • Date Night
    • Random Acts of Kindness
    • Travel
  • Deals
  • About Us

Caramel Puffcorn: A Super Easy, Super Frugal Holiday Treat

November 15, 2010 by Kimberly Danger 5 Comments

I was first introduced to the concept of Caramel Puffcorn about ten years ago while on a play date with my then-toddler daughter.  She took one bite, and it was over: she had a new favorite treat.   Over the years, it's become one of our standard recipes to share when kids are in the mix.  I don't think I've ever met a child who wasn't absolutely crazy about it.

While you can purchase prepared caramel puffcorn in the stores, but it's definitely more fun (and yummier) to make it at home with your kids.   Old Dutch Puffcorn runs about $2.28 per bag (at Walmart); so for under $4 total you can create a yummy treat and spend time together as well.

Ingredients

1 Bag of Old Dutch Puffcorn
1 Cup of Butter (Not Margarine)
1 1/4 Cups of Brown Sugar
2/3 Cup of Light Corn Syrup
1 Teaspoon of baking Soda

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 250°F.
  • Combine butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a 2 quart sauce pan.
  • Cook on medium heat until mixture has melted.
  • Once mixture has melted add the baking soda. (Note: This will cause the mixture to foam)
  • In a large roaster pan pour Old Dutch Puffcorn and pour caramel mixture over the Old Dutch Puffcorn and stir until mixed.
  • Place in oven for 45 minutes, stirring at least every 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove from oven, pour on wax paper and break apart.
  • Let cool and ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

  • For a scrumptious addition to this already delicious recipe drizzle melted chocolate over the mixture after you remove it from the oven!
Caramel puffcorn

This recipe is on the bag itself or you can also find it on the Old Dutch Website.

The fun part is when you add the baking soda to the melted butter and brown sugar mixture and it begins to foam (pictured above).    After that, you simply pour the mixture over the puffcorn and bake for about 40 minutes at 250 degrees, stirring every ten minutes.

While puffcorn tastes good any time of the year, it's a fun little treat when packaged and given away for the holidays.  target has these cute little takeout boxes in their Dollar Spot, as well as holiday-themed goody bags for just $.25.  Perfect for an inexpensive gift idea.

Note:  While I certainly realize that caramel puffcorn is a treat, not a healthy snack (it is processed so it has less fiber than popcorn, it's also a bit more expensive); it is  less of a choking risk for young children than popcorn because it has no hulls.  For that reason, it may be a good alternative to caramel popcorn for children under the age of four.

Share7
Tweet
Pin136
143 Shares

Filed Under: 5 Ingredient, Recipes Tagged With: easy cooking, caramel corn, holidays, snacks

« Reading, Recycling, and Rainbows = Frugal Fun for Little Ones!
Setting a Holiday Budget »

Comments

  1. Karen says

    December 1, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    Where do you get the popcorn you used? Can you recommend any other brands?

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    December 1, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    I make this all the time, but a bit easier version – if you can believe that… this method eliminates the baking time by using the microwave.

    1 Bag of Old Dutch Puffcorn (can use popped corn)
    1/2 Cup of Butter (Not Margarine)
    1 Cup of Brown Sugar
    1/4 Cup of Light Corn Syrup
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
    1 clean, large brown paper grochery bag

    Puor Puffcorn or popcorn into grochery bag and set aside.

    Combine sugar, butter, syrup, and salt in a microwave safe bowl. Cook 2 minutes on high or until boiling. remove from microwave and add baking soda. Stir well.

    Pour mixture over pop corn in brown bag, fold closed and shake well.
    Place bag in Micro on high for 90 seconds. Remove from micro and shake well.
    Put bag back into micro for 90 seconds. remove and shake well.
    Pour on a cookie sheet and cool.

    Reply
  3. Anita says

    December 1, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    I make mine the same way, in the microwave. I am going to make it with my Brownie girl scouts next week.

    Reply
  4. Anita says

    December 6, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Puffcorn is on sale this week at CVS, $1.50/bag.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Christmas Recipes: 25 Days of Holiday Treats | Online Coupons & Savings says:
    December 4, 2011 at 10:31 am

    […] Caramel Puffcorn Caramel Puffcorn tastes great any time of the year, but it lends itself well to the holidays.  Look for inexpensive treat boxes or holiday goody bags and give away to friends and family.  Plus, this one is fun and easy for the kids to help make. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About Mommysavers

Kimberly Danger established Mommysavers.com in March 2000 as a way to channel her creative energy while raising her kids. Initially an online discussion board, the website evolved into a comprehensive platform offering money-saving tips, deals and budget-friendly recipes and tips for frugal moms. Read More…

View My Blog Posts

mommysavers

Helping families live well for less 💰money saving tips 🥘 budget-friendly recipes 💵 frugal living

Kimberly Danger


I just finished organizing the $5 or Less Family M
I just finished organizing the $5 or Less Family Meals into a nice .pdf you can download for free!  These ideas came from our frugal forum members.  The link to download is in my bio.  #cheapmeals #frugalcooking #cheapdinners #frugalfood #frugaltips

Instagram post 17876488349895177
Instagram post 17876488349895177

FRUGAL BITES: Healthy for Less Menu Plans

Healt
FRUGAL BITES:  Healthy for Less Menu Plans 

Healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming! Join the recipe group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cleaneatingfixrecipes to find the recipes to go along with this menu plan!

Breakfast: Mexican Egg Scramble
Lunch: Asian Chicken Salad
Snack: Greek Yogurt Parfait
Dinner: Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables
Dessert: Baked Apples


📣 Attention Savers: Discover the Power of the $
📣 Attention Savers: Discover the Power of the $5 Savings Plan and Watch Your Money Grow! 💰💪

🌟 Are you tired of struggling to save money? 💸💔 Don't worry, we've got you covered! This blog post reveals the simplicity of the $5 Savings Plan, and you won't believe the results! 😱💥

👉 Learn how brensmom saved $700 in change and turned it into a memorable Christmas! 🎄🎁 Discover the competitive journey of 55quiltlady and her BFF, who fund their annual quilting adventures effortlessly! 🧵💃 Find out how allemee77's daily $5 contribution can accumulate to an astonishing $32,850 by the time her daughter reaches college! 🎓💒

But that's not all! 💡 We've gathered even more inspiring stories and clever saving strategies from our old forum community members, including Stormy, Cookie2, wichwire, Susannah, Smokeybandit, and kgummey. Their insights will revolutionize your approach to saving money and help you reach your financial goals faster than ever! 💪💰

Click the link below to read the full blog post and be prepared to be amazed! ✨✨

👉https://mommysavers.com/5-savings-plan/

💬 Tell us in the comments: What's your favorite money-saving tip? Have you tried the $5 Savings Plan? Share your thoughts and experiences with us! 🤔💬

#MoneySavingTips #FinancialGoals #SavingsPlan #PersonalFinance #MoneyMatters

The ultimate in saving money on gourmet foods… #
The ultimate in saving money on gourmet foods… #foraging. This weekend brings us #morelmushrooms and #wildonions

Instagram post 18284423317140395
Instagram post 18284423317140395

Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day!

NOVEMBER = THANKSGIVING

Why not make it a practic
NOVEMBER = THANKSGIVING

Why not make it a practice to express gratitude daily, not just on Thanksgiving?  What we focus on expands.  It's so easy to see all the negativity in the world, especially online. Is anyone interested in joining me for a daily gratitude photo challenge?  If we focus on the little things that we are grateful for, our whole world changes. The blog post about it and.pdf of the checklist are on mommysavers.com .
#30daysofgratitude2018 #mommysavers #gratitudejournal #30daysofgratitude #attitudeofgratitude #begrateful #30daychallenge #bethankfuleveryday


@oreo bat cookies for halloween with @wiltoncakes
@oreo bat cookies for halloween with @wiltoncakes candy eyes- I made 24 in just half an hour. Instructions on Mommysavers.com .
.
#halloweenpartyideas #halloweenfood #halloweenfoodideas #wiltoncakes #wiltoncakedecorating #oreocookies #halloweentreats #halloweencookies #halloweencrafts #frugalmom

Did you know that Hallmark has a line of cards at
Did you know that Hallmark has a line of cards at @dollartree? they’re just 2/$1!! .
.
#dollarstore #dollarstorefinds #frugalliving #frugalmom #savingmoney #dealsandsteals #bargainshopper #abundancemindset #frugalfinds #moneysaving #moneysavingtip

what you need is already there #abundance #abundan
what you need is already there #abundance #abundancemindset #prosperity #attractwealth #frugalmom #frugalliving #lessismore


Spider cookies with @wiltoncakes candy eyes 👀 🕷 -Instructions on Mommysavers.com

#halloween #halloweentreats #halloween🎃 #halloweentreats🎃 #halloweencookies #halloweencookies🎃👻 #halloweencooking

Some of the items I picked up @aldiusa for my late
Some of the items I picked up @aldiusa for my latest #familyfriendlymeals #menuplan. You’ll find it on Mommysavers.com .
.
#aldifinds #aldihaul #aldiusa #familymenu #cleaneatingrecipes #frugalmom #frugalmomlife #frugalliving #eatingonabudget

It’s true. Mom, that’s why you bear the brunt
It’s true. Mom, that’s why you bear the brunt of all your child’s troubles. #momming #mommingainteasy #adultingishard #momlifebelike #momlife❤️ #mommingishard #mommingsohard

Ghost 👻 Popcorn Balls on Mommysavers.com #hallo
Ghost 👻 Popcorn Balls on Mommysavers.com #halloweentreats #halloween🎃 #halloweenpartyfood #halloweentreats #popcornballs #popcornball #halloweenpartyfood

Copycat Halal Guys chicken and rice – on #kimcooks
Copycat Halal Guys chicken and rice - on #kimcookstheworld tomorrow #NYC #streetfood #halalguys

Sushi night
Sushi night

Feast tonight. I even made krumkake! #norwegianfo
Feast tonight.  I even made krumkake! #norwegianfood #feast #food

Swedish meatballs #swedishfood #foodstagram #food
Swedish meatballs #swedishfood #foodstagram #food #sweden #meatballs #kimcookstheworld

Cornish pasties #food #foodstagram
Cornish pasties #food #foodstagram


Load More



Follow on Instagram


Tags

21 day fix menu plan 21 Day Fix recipes 80 day obsession activewear air fryer amazon another use for baby tips clean eating clean eating fix clean eating recipes clean eating recipes crock pot recipes Clean Eeating copycat recipes crafts crock pot meals exercise family night frugal activities frugal fun frugal living frugal recipe gymboree healthiness eat healthy cleaning healthy living healthy recipes healthy snacks heathy recipes holiday toys Instant Pot kids celebration kids party kohl's deals marriage new years parenting tips reuse Shakeology stocking stuffer ideas stocking stuffers Target deals teacher gifts vegan zulily

Copyright © 2023 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Delightful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in