Name: Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil (not required if air popping with a popcorn maker); 1/3 cup popping corn (to yield 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 (or substitute glucose); 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 additional cinnamon); 1/4 tsp ground cloves (or additional cinnamon)

Nothing says cozy holiday vibes quite like a batch of homemade popcorn with a magical twist—**Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe** is exactly that treat. Imagine warm cinnamon, ginger, and clove spices swirling through rich, buttery caramel coating crisp popcorn. I absolutely love how this turns out every time—it’s crunchy, sweet, and just bursting with festive flavors that my whole family goes crazy for. Stick around because I’m going to share all my tips and tricks to help you nail this easy, show-stopping snack for your holiday gatherings.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Festive Flavors: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice makes this popcorn truly feel like Christmas in a bowl.
Crunchy & Buttery Magic: The buttery caramel coats every piece, baking into a satisfyingly crisp snack you’ll keep reaching for.
Easy to Customize: You control how sweet or spicy it gets, making it great for varying taste preferences.
Great for Gifting or Parties: Makes a fantastic homemade gift or crowd-pleaser for holiday get-togethers.

The image shows a clear glass bowl filled with caramel popcorn mixed with almond slices. The popcorn is piled high, forming a mound with the almond slivers visible on top. A red ribbon with white text is wrapped around the middle of the bowl, decorated with green holly leaves and shiny red berries attached to the ribbon. The bowl stands on a short pedestal, placed on a white marbled surface with blurred festive decorations in the background, including pine cones, red berries, and green foliage. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn, festive caramel popcorn, holiday spiced popcorn, Christmas treat popcorn, homemade festive snack

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully because they balance each other—sweet caramel, warm spices, and crunchy popcorn with almonds for texture and nutty flavor. Here’s a quick shopping tip: fresh spices will make all the difference, so if you can, grab small amounts from the bulk aisle or a spice store.

Flat lay of a small pile of pale yellow popping corn kernels, a handful of slivered almonds, a small white bowl filled with golden brown packed brown sugar, a small white bowl containing light amber corn syrup, a small white bowl with creamy unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl of warm cinnamon powder, a smaller white bowl with ginger powder, a tiny white bowl of dark allspice powder, a tiny white bowl with ground cloves, a small white bowl holding fine white baking soda, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, and a small white bowl of vegetable oil, all arranged in a balanced symmetrical layout 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 - Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn, festive caramel popcorn, holiday spiced popcorn, Christmas treat popcorn, homemade festive snack

Popping corn: Use a good-quality kernel for even popping and fluffier bites.
Vegetable oil: Helps popcorn pop without burning, but if you have an air-popper, you can skip it.
Slivered almonds: Adds that lovely crunch contrast and the nutty undertone pairs so well with caramel.
Unsalted butter: The base of your caramel—unsalted lets you control the salt levels perfectly.
Brown sugar: Gives caramel that deep, rich sweetness and slight molasses flavor.
Corn syrup (or glucose): Stabilizes the caramel to keep it smooth and prevent crystallization.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Lends a warm, fragrant depth to your caramel.
Baking soda: Reacts with vanilla and caramel to create a light, airy texture in the coating.
Cinnamon powder: The star spice that screams “holiday” in every bite.
Ginger powder: Adds a subtle zing and depth.
Allspice powder: Brings a mix of flavors like nutmeg and cloves for extra complexity.
Ground cloves: A pinch packs a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic punch.

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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.

Variations

I’ve played around with this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe a lot, and honestly, you can tweak it to whatever suits your crowd. Whether you want more or less spice, or nuts swapped out for something else, making it your own is half the fun!

Nut-Free Version: Swap out slivered almonds for pumpkin seeds or leave nuts out entirely for allergy-sensitive gatherings.
Extra Sweet: If you love candy-like popcorn, try using 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels instead of more for a thicker caramel coating. My kids adore this super sweet version during movie nights.
Gluten-Free Twist: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but just be sure your corn syrup or glucose substitute has no hidden gluten.
Spice Level Adjustments: Want it spicier? I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne or increase the ginger for a warming kick that adults enjoy.
Holiday Mix-Ins: Sprinkle in mini chocolate chips or dried cranberries after baking for a festive pop of color and flavor.

How to Make Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Step 1: Pop Your Popcorn to Perfection

Start by heating your vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Here’s a little trick I learned: add a few test kernels first and wait until they pop, then you know the oil is ready. Add the remaining popcorn, shake the pot off the heat to distribute kernels evenly, cover it, and then place back on the burner. As the popping begins, gently shake the pot once to avoid burning. Remove from heat when you can count a few seconds between pops. Transfer popcorn to a very large bowl—you’ll want plenty of room to mix in your caramel without making a mess.

Step 2: Whip Up That Festive Caramel

While the popcorn cools a little, preheat your oven to 110°C (230°F). Melt your unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in your brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt until just combined. One thing I discovered is not to stir once the mixture starts bubbling—just let it simmer for 4 minutes on its own to create that perfect caramel texture. Removing from heat, whisk in the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, vanilla, and baking soda fast. Watch as it froths up—that’s exactly what you want!

Step 3: Marry Popcorn with Caramel and Almonds

Quickly pour this warm, spiced caramel over your popcorn and toss right away to coat every bite. Then sprinkle slivered almonds on top and give it another good toss so those nuts get dressed up too. I like to do this while the caramel’s still hot so everything sticks nicely.

Step 4: Bake to Crunchy Perfection

Spread the caramel-coated popcorn across two baking trays in a single layer and pop them in the oven for about 45 minutes. Don’t forget to toss every 10 minutes or so—this is key! The caramel melts a bit more and redistributes, making sure every kernel gets an even crunchy coat. If you’re using glucose instead of corn syrup, bake for an extra 15 minutes to get the right crispness. After baking, let it cool completely before breaking it into bite-sized clusters.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Don’t Skip the Shakes: Shaking the pot as popcorn begins popping prevents burnt kernels and helps more pop evenly.
No Stirring During Simmer: Avoid stirring caramel while simmering—the sugar could crystallize and ruin the texture.
Toss While Baking: Tossing popcorn in the oven ensures an even coating and stops clumps from forming.
Use a Large Bowl: To toss popcorn effectively without spilling, a really big bowl is your best friend.

How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

A close-up image showing a woman's hand picking up a piece of caramel-coated popcorn mixed with slivered almonds. The popcorn is covered in a golden-brown caramel-like coating with a slightly glossy texture and visible specks of cinnamon or spice. The popcorn clusters are dense and irregular in shape, and the slivered almonds add a creamier, pale beige color contrast throughout. The background is softly blurred, showing more of the same popcorn mixture on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn, festive caramel popcorn, holiday spiced popcorn, Christmas treat popcorn, homemade festive snack

Garnishes

I love finishing this popcorn with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a light dusting of extra cinnamon on top to punch up the flavors. Sometimes, I throw on a few red and green holiday sprinkles for a festive touch that kids really enjoy. Candied orange peel bits also add a surprising and delightful citrus burst if you feel adventurous!

Side Dishes

This spiced caramel popcorn pairs beautifully alongside hot cocoa or mulled wine at your holiday party. It’s the perfect snack for acccompanying a cheese board with nutty cheeses and dried fruits, too. For a more substantial treat, I’ll serve it next to spiced roasted nuts or a fresh fruit platter to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I like to package this popcorn in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful holiday ribbons. Adding a handmade tag with the recipe name makes it personal. At parties, try serving it in festive bowls or glass jars layered with red and green candy canes for a cheerful display. Another fun idea I tried was scooping into mini paper cones for an easy grab-and-go treat for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, I store the popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays crisp and fresh for up to 2-3 weeks, which is great because it tends to disappear fast in my house! Just make sure it’s sealed well to keep humidity out.

Freezing

I personally haven’t frozen this popcorn because it’s super easy to make fresh and I prefer the crisp texture straight from the oven. But if you do freeze it, use a tightly sealed bag and let it come to room temp before opening to avoid condensation.

Reheating

If your popcorn loses a bit of crunch, warming it gently in a low oven (about 120°C/250°F) for 5-10 minutes brings back that freshly baked crispness. Just watch closely so it doesn’t burn!

FAQs

Can I use air-popped popcorn for this recipe?

Absolutely! Air-popped popcorn works great and you can skip the oil when popping. Just be sure to have about 10 cups of popcorn ready before coating with caramel. The texture and taste will be just as delightful.
What if I don’t have corn syrup?

You can substitute corn syrup with glucose, golden syrup, honey, or maple syrup. Keep in mind that these substitutes may require an extra 15 minutes baking time to get the caramel crisp, but they work well if corn syrup isn’t available.
Why do we add baking soda to the caramel?

Baking soda reacts with the caramel, causing it to foam up and become lighter. This creates a crispier, airy texture on the popcorn rather than a hard candy shell—critical for that perfect bite.
How long does Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, this popcorn stays fresh and crisp for 2 to 3 weeks, making it a festive treat that you can enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is one of those easy homemade treats I keep coming back to year after year. It feels special but isn’t complicated—and that balance of warm spices with buttery caramel tastes like a cozy hug in snack form. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying while watching holiday movies. I hope you get a chance to make it this season and share it with your people—it’s one of my all-time favorite festive recipes, and I think you’ll love it just as much as I do.