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 (makes 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 or other syrups); 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)

Picture this: a warm, cozy kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and caramel, while a big bowl of crunchy, addictive popcorn sits ready to be shared. That’s exactly what my Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe brings to your holiday table — a perfect blend of sweet, spice, and festive fun that everyone will love.

The image shows a clear glass bowl filled with caramel popcorn mixed with slivered almonds. The popcorn is golden brown with a shiny caramel coating, creating a crispy texture, while the almond slivers add a light tan color and a crunchy contrast scattered evenly throughout the bowl. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with red berries and a pine cone blurred in the background, adding a festive touch. 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

This recipe is a warm hug in snack form — the perfect treat to make during the holidays or anytime you want to add a little festive magic to your snack game. It’s not just popcorn; it’s popcorn with that nostalgic caramel sweetness and a bold Christmas spice twist that really makes it special.

Perfect balance: The caramel coating isn’t overpowering, letting the cozy cinnamon and ginger notes shine through beautifully.
Crunchy and fresh: Baking the caramel-coated popcorn ensures it stays crisp for weeks, great for prepping early or gifting.
Customizable spices: You can adjust the warmth and zing of the Christmas spices to match your mood or pantry.
Easy to make: With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, you’ll feel like a festive snack pro in no time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe comes from the way simple pantry staples come together — buttery caramel glazed with aromatic spices that bring warmth, sweetness, and just a hint of holiday cheer. When shopping, keep an eye out for fresh spices for that punch of flavor and quality butter for a rich caramel.

Flat lay of a large mound of freshly popped white popcorn kernels with a slight yellow tint, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale golden vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding slivered almonds, a neat rectangular slab of unsalted butter with a smooth surface, a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with packed dark brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing glossy light amber corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl with fine cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl with pale ginger powder, a small white ceramic bowl of rich dark allspice powder, a small white ceramic bowl with deep brown ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine white baking soda, and a small white ceramic bowl with clear golden vanilla extract 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; you can skip this if you prefer air-popped popcorn for a lighter base.
Popping corn kernels: The star of the show for a fluffy, crunchy snack; measure carefully to control coverage.
Slivered almonds: Adds a lovely nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with caramel.
Unsalted butter: Richness without extra saltiness, essential for smooth caramel.
Brown sugar: Gives the caramel deep molasses flavor and sweetness.
Corn syrup (or glucose): Prevents sugar from crystallizing, keeping the caramel smooth and glossy.
Salt: Balances the sweetness to make every bite more interesting.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the caramel flavor.
Baking soda: Causes the caramel to foam and coat the popcorn evenly.
Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, ground cloves: The signature Christmas spice blend that transforms simple caramel popcorn into a festive delight.

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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 of the things I love most about this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste. Feel free to turn up or down the spices, swap nuts, or even mix in a handful of dried cranberries for a festive zing.

Variation: I like to try pecans or walnuts instead of almonds sometimes — they add a deeper, earthier crunch that’s just as lovely.
Spice adjustments: If you prefer milder spices, reduce the cloves and allspice, or if you want more punch, add a little extra cinnamon or ginger.
Sweetness level: For a lighter caramel coating, I sometimes use a bit more popcorn (up to ¾ cup kernels) so it’s not as candy-sweet, perfect if you’re sharing with kids or folks with a lighter sweet tooth.

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

Three clear plastic bags filled with golden brown caramel popcorn are arranged on a white marbled surface. Each bag is tightly sealed with a small green ribbon tied around the top, adorned with red berry decorations. Loose pieces of the popcorn sit scattered around the base of the bags. Behind the bags, there are festive decorations including green leaves, red berries, and pine cones, along with a white pot holding a red flower. The light shines warmly, highlighting the shiny texture of the caramel on the popcorn, with a soft, blurred background enhancing the festive feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Pop the Perfect Batch of Popcorn

Start by heating your vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Drop in a couple of kernels and wait for them to pop—that’s your cue that the oil is ready. Then add the rest of your popcorn kernels all at once, and give the pot a little shake off the heat to spread them evenly. Cover with a lid and return to heat. When the popping gets going, shake gently once or twice to keep kernels moving and popping evenly. The popping slows when you can count to three between pops; then, remove from heat carefully and pour your fresh popcorn into a very large bowl. You want about 10 cups ready to go—trust me, the caramel will coat this amount beautifully!

Step 2: Whip Up That Luscious Caramel

Preheat your oven to a low 110°C/230°F. Melt butter gently in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt — just enough to combine. Now, here’s a crucial moment: when the mixture starts bubbling, resist the urge to stir and let it simmer smoothly for 4 minutes. This hands-off time helps form that glossy caramel. Then, pull it off the heat and whisk in your Christmas spices, vanilla extract, and baking soda quickly. Whisk vigorously for about 10 seconds until the caramel foams and puffs up. This foaming action is what makes sure every popcorn kernel gets an even, bubbly caramel coat.

Step 3: Coat, Toss, and Bake to Perfection

Pour your hot caramel straight over the popcorn, then toss thoroughly — you want every bit covered before the caramel hardens. Sprinkle over the slivered almonds and toss a final time. Spread the caramel-coated popcorn onto two baking trays in an even layer. Bake in your preheated oven for 45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes or so. The caramel will melt again during those first few tosses, so keep going until it’s evenly coated and crisp. If you used glucose syrup instead of corn syrup, add 15 extra minutes to the baking time to get that perfect crunch. When done, remove from oven and let cool fully before breaking into pieces and storing.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe countless times, and here are the little nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up over the years that make a big difference:

Popcorn popping timing: Don’t rush removing the pot; if you stop too early, you’ll get more unpopped kernels and a less even batch.
Simmer without stirring: Stirring the caramel once it’s bubbling tends to cause the sugar to crystallize and get gritty — trust the process and keep your hands off.
Vigorous whisking: When you add the baking soda, whisk fast for a full 10 seconds to get the caramel foaming properly, which is key for that amazing coating.
Baking tosses: Don’t skip tossing during baking — it helps coat every kernel evenly and keeps the popcorn from clumping.

How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Christmas Spiced Popcorn - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding just a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top after baking — it contrasts beautifully with the sweet caramel and spices. Sometimes, I’ll toss in a few dried cranberries or festive red and green sprinkles if it’s for a party. It’s those little finishing touches that bring this snack to life on the table.

Side Dishes

This spiced caramel popcorn pairs perfectly with a warm cup of mulled cider or a rich hot chocolate for dessert. I’ve also served it alongside gingerbread cookies or cheese plates at my holiday gatherings, and it adds a lovely sweet-savory contrast that guests rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to portion this popcorn into small, clear treat bags tied with festive ribbons or placed in mason jars with handwritten tags. It makes a charming hostess gift or stocking stuffer. You can also layer it with layers of peppermint bark or dried fruits in a clear bowl for a stunning holiday snack mix display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the popcorn cool completely and store it in airtight containers at room temperature. It keeps its crispness for up to 2-3 weeks, which is great if you want to prep snacks ahead of time or package gifts well in advance.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this popcorn myself, I’ve heard that sealing it very tightly in freezer bags can work for longer storage. Be sure to let it thaw at room temperature before opening to avoid condensation, which might make it soggy.

Reheating

If your popcorn softens a little over time, a quick 5-7 minute bake at 120°C / 250°F can revive its crispness nicely. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn or change color.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this recipe without corn syrup?

Yes! You can substitute light glucose syrup or even golden syrup, honey, or maple syrup, but keep in mind you may need to bake the popcorn an additional 15 minutes to get the caramel to crisp properly because those alternatives have more water content.

How do I make sure the popcorn stays crunchy?

To keep your popcorn crisp, spread it out evenly on baking trays and bake at a low temperature, tossing every 10 minutes. Also, store it in an airtight container once cooled to prevent moisture from softening the caramel coating.

Can I use different nuts or skip nuts altogether?

Absolutely! Slivered almonds add great texture and flavor, but you can swap in pecans, walnuts, or even pumpkin seeds. If you have nut allergies, you can skip nuts entirely without losing the essence of this recipe.

Is this recipe very sweet?

This recipe creates a rich, sweet caramel popcorn candy, but by adjusting the amount of popcorn kernels (using more kernels), you can achieve a lighter, less intense caramel coverage so it’s not too sweet for your taste.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe reminds me of those cozy holiday moments — the laughter, the warm kitchen smells, and sharing sweet treats with family. I hope it brings that same joy to your home. It’s an easy-to-love, crowd-pleasing snack that’s perfect for gifting, parties, or curling up with a good movie. Trust me, once you try it, it will become a holiday staple you'll come back to year after year.