Name: Holiday 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 (10 cups popcorn); 2/3 cup slivered almonds; 100g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup (170g) light corn syrup (substitute glucose if needed); 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 warm aromas of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves mingling with rich caramel, isn’t there? This Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe captures all those cozy festive vibes perfectly, making it a treat that’s way more than just popcorn—it’s a bite of holiday joy you can munch on anytime.

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 Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to say, this Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe quickly became a favorite in my household around the holidays. It’s that perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and crunchy that everyone ends up reaching for seconds (and thirds!). Whether you’re hosting a party or just want a festive snack, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Irresistible Flavors: The Christmas spices add a warming, seasonal twist you won’t find in regular caramel popcorn.
Perfectly Crunchy Texture: Baking the popcorn after coating it ensures each bite stays crisp for weeks.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these on hand, making it an easy-to-pull-together treat.
Versatile for Gifting: Pack it up in festive bags and it makes a thoughtful homemade gift that everyone will love.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances buttery caramel with cozy holiday spices, giving it that inviting aroma and flavor that fills the kitchen with warmth. Using quality ingredients like real butter and fresh spices makes a huge difference, and if you’ve never popped your own corn, that’s half the fun too.

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; you can skip it if using an air popper.
Popping corn: Use good quality kernels for the biggest, fluffiest popcorn possible.
Slivered almonds: Adds a lovely crunch and nuttiness that complements the caramel and spices.
Butter: The base of your caramel; unsalted gives you control over saltiness.
Brown sugar: Provides deep molasses notes essential for rich caramel flavor.
Corn syrup: Prevents crystallization, keeping the caramel shiny and smooth.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and complexity to the caramel.
Baking soda: Lightens the caramel texture by creating tiny bubbles, helping it coat the popcorn evenly.
Christmas spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves): These create that unmistakable festive flavor that makes holiday treats special.

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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

I love how this Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe adapts to personal tastes—sometimes I dial up the cinnamon for extra warmth or swap almonds for pecans. It’s a great base to get creative with, whether for dietary preferences or just to shake things up a bit.

Variation: One year, I added a pinch of cayenne pepper for a sneaky hint of heat, and it was an unexpected hit at my family gathering.
Nut-Free Option: Swap almonds for toasted coconut flakes or skip nuts altogether if you’re catering to allergies—still delicious!
Sweetness Level: You can adjust how sweet you want it by changing the amount of caramel or popcorn used; I recommend starting with the suggested amounts for perfect balance.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday 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 Your Corn with Care

First up, heat the vegetable oil in a big, heavy pot over medium heat. Drop in a couple of kernels to test—it’s ready when they pop! Add the rest of your popcorn kernels, cover, and gently shake the pot once the popping really gets going. When there's a 3-second pause between pops, take the pot off the heat. Transferring immediately to a large bowl helps prevent soggy popcorn. I love how popping my own lets me control freshness and size—way better than bagged stuff.

Step 2: Make That Luscious Spiced Caramel

Melt butter gently over medium heat, then add brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir just to combine, then allow the mixture to bubble without stirring for around 4 minutes. This simmer is crucial for that smooth caramel texture, so watch closely but resist stirring! Off the heat, whisk in your Christmas spices, vanilla, and baking soda vigorously. You'll see the caramel foam up—that’s your signal it’s ready to coat your popcorn to perfection.

Step 3: Coat and Bake for Crunchy Perfection

Pour that spiced caramel right over your popcorn and toss quickly but gently to coat every piece. Sprinkle your slivered almonds and toss again. Spread the popcorn on two baking trays and bake at a low temperature, tossing every 10 minutes. This slow bake lets the caramel harden just right, giving you that ideal crunch that lasts. I always keep an eye so it doesn’t burn, and honestly, those tosses make the process fun!

Top Tip

From my experience, mastering the caramel stage is the trickiest but most rewarding part of this Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe. These tips helped me nail that perfect crunchy coating.

Don’t stir during bubbling: It’s tempting, but stirring can cause the caramel to crystallize and become grainy—let it bubble undisturbed for smooth results.
Work quickly after whisking: Once you add the baking soda and spices, that foam happens fast; pour immediately over popcorn to get even coverage.
Use a large bowl: Tossing popcorn is easier and less messy if you have plenty of room for the caramel to spread evenly.
Don’t skip the baking step: It really seals in that crunch and prevents soggy popcorn—trust me, it’s worth the wait!

How to Serve Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple, tossing in some extra toasted almonds right before serving for an extra crunch. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top elevates the flavors beautifully and cuts through the sweetness, which I highly recommend giving a try.

Side Dishes

This spiced caramel popcorn pairs wonderfully with warm drinks — think hot chocolate, mulled wine, or even a cup of spiced apple cider. It’s a perfect snack alongside holiday movie marathons or game nights with friends and family.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I love packing the popcorn in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon and a handmade tag. At parties, serve it in a decorative bowl surrounded by pinecones, fairy lights, or holly sprigs for that extra Christmas charm.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store mine in an airtight container at room temperature — it stays perfectly crisp for up to three weeks. Just make sure to keep it somewhere cool and dry, away from humidity which can soften the caramel.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this popcorn once or twice in a pinch, wrapped tightly in freezer bags. It thaws quickly and retains most of its crunch, though fresh is always tastier.

Reheating

If your popcorn loses a bit of its crispness, a quick 5-minute low-temp bake in the oven crisps it right back up. Just spread it evenly on a tray and keep an eye so it doesn’t overcook.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this recipe without corn syrup?

Yes! You can substitute corn syrup with glucose, golden syrup, honey, or maple syrup. Just keep in mind that if you use glucose or other substitutions, you may need to bake the popcorn for an extra 15 minutes to get the caramel to set properly.

How do I store Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn?

Store your popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature, away from humidity, to keep it crisp. It will stay fresh and crunchy for 2 to 3 weeks.

Can I use a microwave or air popper instead of stovetop popcorn?

Absolutely! Using an air popper is a great way to make popcorn quickly and without oil. Just pop 10 cups of popcorn and proceed with the caramel coating as directed.

What if I don’t have all the spices?

No worries! Cinnamon is the star here, so if you don’t have all of the spices, you can increase the cinnamon a bit and still get a cozy, festive flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe always brings a smile to my face when I make it—a little taste of holiday magic wrapped in crunchy sweetness with that perfect hint of spice. I truly hope you give it a try and discover how easy it is to bring that festive warmth to your kitchen. Trust me, this snack is one you’ll want to keep on hand all season long and share with everyone you love.