Name: Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil (not required if air popping with a popcorn maker); 1/3 cup popping corn (yields 10 cups popcorn); 2/3 cup slivered almonds; 100 g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup (170 g) light corn syrup (substitute glucose if unavailable); 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)

There’s something magical about the sweet warmth of spices mingling with crunchy caramel and popcorn—the kind of treat that feels like a cozy holiday hug. That’s exactly what makes my Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe so irresistible. It’s festive, fragrant, and perfect for sharing (or not, I won’t judge!).

A clear glass bowl filled with caramel popcorn mixed with light beige slivered almonds scattered on top. The popcorn is shiny and dark caramel colored with a slightly rough texture. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with red berries and green leaves softly visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve been making this recipe every holiday season because it perfectly balances that classic caramel sweetness with warm festive spices. It’s a crowd-pleaser that fills your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and ginger, instantly getting you in the Christmas spirit.

Deliciously Spiced: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves gives it a cozy depth you just don’t get from plain caramel popcorn.
Crunchy & Crisp: Baking the popcorn ensures every bite stays perfectly crunchy, no soggy bits here.
Easy to Make: With clear steps that anyone can follow, I promise you’ll nail it even if you’ve never made caramel popcorn before.
Great for Gifting: Pack it in jars or festive bags—it’s an easy homemade gift that always impresses.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays an important role to give you perfect, rich, spiced caramel popcorn. Picking fresh spices and good quality butter really makes a difference—I like to use unsalted butter so I can control the saltiness better, but feel free to adjust as you like.

Flat lay of a small pile of unpopped popcorn kernels, a small mound of slivered almonds, a slab of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding light corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl containing cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl with ginger powder, a small white ceramic bowl with allspice powder, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, and a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract liquid, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable oil: Helps pop the corn evenly without burning; if you have an air popper, you can skip this.
Popping corn kernels: Look for fresh kernels to ensure a big, fluffy pop.
Slivered almonds: Add a lovely nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with the spiced caramel.
Butter (unsalted): Creates the rich base for the caramel; unsalted lets you control seasoning perfectly.
Brown sugar: Gives caramel its classic deep, molasses flavor.
Corn syrup (or glucose): Prevents the caramel from crystallizing and keeps it smooth and sticky.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm sweetness enhancing the caramel depth.
Baking soda: Makes the caramel foam and lighten, coating the popcorn evenly.
Christmas spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves): The star of the recipe — these add that unmistakable holiday cheer.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your taste. Sometimes I use pecans instead of almonds, or add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top for a salty-sweet twist. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!

Nut Variations: Switching slivered almonds for walnuts or pecans adds a different crunch that’s just as delightful.
Sweetness Level: If you prefer it less sweet, you can reduce the brown sugar slightly or use half corn syrup, half honey for a different flavor profile.
Spice Tweaks: Play around with the spice amounts—if you like it spicier, add a dash more ginger or even a pinch of nutmeg.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

The image shows three clear plastic bags filled with caramel popcorn tied with a green ribbon with red berries, placed on a white marbled surface. Scattered caramel popcorn pieces lie around the bags in the foreground. In the background, there are festive decorations including a white pot with a red poinsettia flower, a small grey pot with green leaves and red berries, and shiny gold ornaments with a soft red glow around them. The scene gives a warm and holiday feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Pop the Perfect Popcorn

Heat your vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat, then toss in a few popcorn kernels as a test. When they pop, it’s time to add the rest of the kernels. Shake the pot gently off the heat to spread everything evenly, then cover. Once the popping really starts, give the pot a gentle shake to keep the popcorn moving and prevent burning. When you can count to three between pops, remove from heat and transfer the popcorn to a large, sturdy bowl. You want about 10 cups of popped popcorn—that’s just the right amount for coating.

Step 2: Whisk Up That Luxurious Caramel

Preheat your oven to 110°C (230°F). Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add your brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir gently until combined but watch closely. Once it starts bubbling, leave it to simmer without stirring for exactly four minutes. This is key to developing that chewy caramel texture. Remove the pan from heat and whisk in your Christmas spices, vanilla, and baking soda. Whisk vigorously for about 10 seconds—the mixture will foam and puff up beautifully. This step lightens the caramel so it’s not too dense when it coats the popcorn.

Step 3: Marry Caramel and Popcorn

Quickly pour the caramel over your popcorn and toss to coat evenly. Then sprinkle on your slivered almonds and toss again while the caramel starts cooling and hardening. Aim for an even, glossy coating that will get crunchier once baked.

Step 4: Bake for Crunchy Bliss

Spread the popcorn onto two baking trays in a single layer. Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes or so. The caramel will soften during baking, allowing every kernel to get coated more evenly. If you use glucose instead of corn syrup, add an extra 15 minutes to this step to get the crispness just right. When done, let it cool completely before breaking into bite-sized clusters. Store in an airtight container, and it’ll stay crisp and fresh for up to three weeks!

Top Tip

Having made this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks to get it just right without stress. These tips really helped me get that perfect balance of crisp popcorn and rich, spiced caramel coating.

Use the Right Heat: Keep your stovetop at medium when melting the caramel—too high and you risk burning it; too low and it won’t thicken properly.
No Stirring When Simmering: Once the mixture bubbles, resist stirring it for 4 minutes to develop that smooth texture. I caught myself stirring once and it crystallized, so trust the process!
Toss While Warm: Coat the popcorn with the caramel immediately after whisking to ensure the caramel spreads evenly before it hardens.
Bake for Crispness: Don’t skip the baking step; it’s what transforms sticky caramel into that delightful, crispy shell that clings to every piece.

How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Christmas spiced caramel popcorn - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing off my Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy cane for that extra festive pop. If you’re feeling fancy, some drizzle of melted dark chocolate makes it feel extra indulgent and looks gorgeous in a serving bowl.

Side Dishes

This popcorn is fantastic on its own, but I often serve it alongside hot cocoa or mulled cider for a cozy movie night. It also pairs surprisingly well with sharp cheeses or a bowl of mixed nuts if you're creating a holiday snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gifts, I pack this popcorn into clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbon, or fill mason jars decorated with festive labels and pine sprigs. It’s a simple way to turn this treat into a beautiful edible gift everyone will love!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling, I keep my Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn stored in airtight containers at room temperature. This keeps it crisp for up to three weeks—perfect if you want to make it in advance or need a holiday treat ready to go.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing this specific popcorn because it’s easy enough to make fresh, but if you do, make sure it’s sealed airtight and thaw at room temp before opening so the popcorn doesn’t get soggy.

Reheating

If your popcorn gets a bit soft, a quick 5-10 minute bake in the oven at 150°C (300°F) revives the crispiness beautifully. Just be sure to spread it out on a baking sheet and keep an eye on it to avoid burning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this popcorn recipe without corn syrup?

Absolutely! You can substitute corn syrup with glucose syrup (common in Australian stores) or even golden syrup and honey. Just be aware that if you're using glucose, golden syrup, or honey, you'll need to bake the popcorn 15 minutes longer to get that perfect crispness.

How do I prevent the caramel from crystallizing?

Use corn syrup or glucose syrup as they help stabilize the sugar and prevent crystallization. Also, avoid stirring the caramel while it simmers and make sure your ingredients are fresh. Follow the timing closely during the simmering step for best results.

Can I use a microwave popcorn bag instead of popping kernels?

I don’t recommend using pre-popped microwave popcorn bags for this recipe since you want fresh, uncoated popped corn to evenly coat with the caramel. Make your own popcorn from kernels either on the stove or with an air popper for best results.

How long does the popcorn stay fresh once made?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn will stay crisp and delicious for 2 to 3 weeks. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before sealing to avoid moisture buildup that could make it soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it effortlessly brings that festive warmth and crunchy sweetness to my holiday gatherings. It’s easy enough to make while still feeling like a luxurious treat you whipped up yourself. I’m confident once you try it, you’ll want it on repeat through every holiday season — trust me, your friends and family will thank you for it!