Gabe’s Firehouse Caramel Corn

Gabe’s delicious, chewy firehouse caramel corn doesn’t need to be baked in the oven. It’s quick to make and only requires a handful of ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen!

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Gabe is a firefighter who worked with my husband in Oregon. When Gabe made his caramel corn, it was so delicious that once it came out of the oven, the crew, especially my husband, couldn’t stop eating it!

Gabe was kind enough to share his recipe, and we hope you enjoy it as much as the fire station does! This is a “sticky finger”, a super chewy version of caramel corn, which is precisely why they love it.

• Unpopped popcorn popped
• Butter ~ or non-dairy type like Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or Country Crock Plant Based Butter
• Karo syrup
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Molasses – optional (I used this in mine)
• Optional nuts: I used salted. Mixed is yummy, too

If you prefer a crisp baked caramel corn Granny’s Baked Caramel Corn is the best I have ever eaten, and I have sampled a lot!

Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Gabe's Firehouse Caramel Corn

A quick and easy chewy caramel corn recipe that doesn't need to bake.

Servings: 0

Author: Mary Krick

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Unpopped popcorn popped
• 1 cube Butter ~ or non-dairy type like Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or Country Crock Plant Based Butter
• 1 cup Karo syrup
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp Salt ~rounded
• 1 cup Nuts ~optional I used salted. Mixed is yummy too
• 2-3 Tbsp Molasses – optional ~I used this in mine

Instructions

• Pop popcorn and separate unpopped kernals out of the bowl. Dump popcorn into a large bowl.
• Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat. Add Karo syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt. At this time, add optional molasses as well. Mix well.
• Bring to a low boil and cook for 2-4 minutes, or until it reaches a soft ball stage. Test by dropping a small amount of the caramel mixture into a glass of ice water. Remember…we want chewy, not hard.
• Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and nuts. Mix well until all kernels are coated.
• Pour the mixture onto a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper or onto a nonstick surface. Let it cool a bit, or dig in!

Notes

Hand lift popcorn from one bowl into another to ensure no unpopped seeds are left. Sprinkle optional nuts over popcorn and set aside.