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 (10 cups popcorn); 2/3 cup slivered almonds; 100g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup (170g) light corn syrup; 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 nothing like that warm, cozy crunch of holiday flavors to brighten up the season, and this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe does exactly that. With delicate hints of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves mingling with buttery caramel, it’s a festive treat that’s as joyful to make as it is to munch on.

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 Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is my go-to during the holidays when I want something sweet with a little kick. You get the perfect balance of crunch, festive spices, and rich caramel all in one bowl — and honestly, it’s addictive.

Ultimate Flavor Combo: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves transforms classic caramel popcorn into a unique seasonal delight.
Perfectly Crispy Texture: Baking the caramel-coated popcorn ensures every bite stays crisp and chewy without sticking together.
Easy to Make in Big Batches: This recipe yields enough popcorn for a crowd, great for gifting or sharing at holiday parties.
Customizable Warmth: You can adjust spice levels and sweetness to suit your family’s taste, making it truly your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe plays an important role. The popcorn provides that classic fluffy crunch; the caramel binds everything with sweet, buttery goodness; and the spices bring the festive magic to life. Here’s what you need to know about the key players before you start shopping.

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

Popcorn kernels: Use good quality popping corn for light, airy bites; air-popped or stovetop works great depending on your preference.
Vegetable oil: This helps pop the kernels evenly if you’re not air popping—don’t skip if using stovetop.
Slivered almonds: They add a lovely nutty crunch that balances the sweet caramel beautifully.
Butter: Unsalted is best so you can control the saltiness; it creates the rich, luscious base for the caramel.
Brown sugar: Gives depth and molasses notes to the caramel, critical for that holiday vibe.
Corn syrup (or glucose): Essential to prevent crystallization so your caramel stays smooth and shiny.
Salt: A pinch enhances all the flavors — don’t skip!
Vanilla extract: Adds a soft warmth and complexity to the caramel.
Baking soda: This little trick causes the caramel to foam and become lighter, helping to coat every popcorn piece perfectly.
Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves: These Christmas spices are the heart of the recipe, delivering that signature seasonal kick.

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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 my favorite things about this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is how simple it is to tweak. I often play with the spice blend—sometimes adding a dash more ginger for extra warmth or swapping in nutmeg instead of allspice for a different twist.

Variation: Once, I tossed in some chopped crystallized ginger along with the almonds, and it gave a delightful zing that my family couldn’t stop raving about.
Dietary Mod: For a dairy-free version, try substituting butter with coconut oil – you’ll get a subtle tropical hint that’s surprisingly festive.
Seasonal Switch: The spice blend can be adjusted – I sometimes use pumpkin pie spice when I want a slightly sweeter, softer spice profile for Thanksgiving.

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 Your Popcorn to Perfection

I like to start on the stove by heating a bit of vegetable oil over medium heat. Drop in a couple of popcorn kernels and wait for them to pop—that’s your cue that the oil’s ready. Then toss in the rest, shake the pot gently, and cover it up. Once the popping slows to nearly a stop (you can count to three between pops), take it off the heat and get the popcorn out into a large bowl. Having a big bowl helps because the caramel coating step can get pretty messy!

Step 2: Whip Up the Caramel Sauce with Holiday Flair

Next, melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat and add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt, stirring just to combine. Watch closely and once it starts bubbling, let it simmer without stirring for about 4 minutes. This simmering step is key to getting that perfect caramel consistency. Right after removing from heat, whisk in your cinnamon, ginger, allspice, clove, vanilla, and baking soda. The mixture will foam up — don’t be alarmed, it’s supposed to! That foam helps coat every popcorn piece evenly.

Step 3: Combine and Bake for Crispy Delight

Pour the bubbling caramel right over the popcorn and almonds, then toss quickly to get everything coated before it hardens. Spread the mixture over two baking trays and bake at a low temperature (110°C / 230°F) for about 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to keep that caramel glossy and evenly distributed. If you’re using glucose syrup, plan on an extra 15 minutes in the oven. This slow bake step is what locks in that perfect crunch that lasts for weeks.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe every year, a few things really help nail the texture and flavor every time.

Use a heavy-bottomed pan: It heats evenly and prevents burning the caramel, a mistake I've made too often before.
Don’t stir caramel while simmering: It helps avoid sugary graininess, making the coating smooth and shiny.
Work quickly after adding baking soda: The foam fades fast, so you want to toss the popcorn and almonds right away for the best coating.
Use parchment paper on baking trays: It stops the caramel popcorn from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Christmas spiced caramel popcorn - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling some extra slivered almonds over the finished popcorn for added crunch and a classy look. Sometimes, I dust a tiny pinch of extra cinnamon on top just for aroma and presentation. If you’re feeling festive, a handful of dried cranberries mixed in adds a lovely tart contrast that balances the sweetness perfectly.

Side Dishes

This popcorn pairs wonderfully with anything warm and creamy. I often serve it alongside a hot cup of cocoa or mulled cider. It’s also fantastic with cheese plates—try it with sharp cheddar or brie for a sweet and savory holiday snack duo.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifts or parties, I like to pack the popcorn in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons. For a centerpiece snack, a rustic wooden bowl filled with popcorn garnished with sprigs of rosemary and cranberries gives an instantly charming vibe. You could even use small paper cones for guests to grab on the go!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my leftover Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn in airtight containers at room temperature, and it stays perfectly crisp for up to three weeks. Avoid the fridge—it can introduce moisture and ruin that delicate crunch.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead or send some as gifts, freezing works well. Just make sure your popcorn is completely cooled before sealing it in a freezer bag. When thawed, it retains its texture beautifully.

Reheating

To refresh the popcorn’s crispness after storage, pop it in a preheated oven at 120°C (250°F) for about 5-7 minutes. Let it cool completely before serving to restore that fresh-baked crunch without burning the caramel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe without corn syrup?

Yes, you can substitute corn syrup with glucose syrup, which is common in many supermarkets. Just note you’ll need to bake the popcorn for about 15 minutes longer to get the right texture. Alternatives like golden syrup, honey, or maple syrup are possible, but they also require extra baking time and may slightly alter the flavor.

How do I avoid clumps in my spiced caramel popcorn?

To prevent clumping, make sure you spread the coated popcorn evenly on baking sheets and toss it every 10 minutes while baking. Using parchment paper on your trays also helps keep pieces separate and makes cleanup easier. Don’t skip the baking step — it’s crucial to crisp up the caramel and reduce stickiness.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time for holiday parties?

Absolutely! This is one of the best make-ahead treats because it stays fresh and crisp for 2 to 3 weeks when stored properly. I usually make it a few days in advance and store it in airtight containers, which also helps the flavors develop nicely.

Is this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe suitable for gifting?

Definitely! It’s a popular homemade gift. I recommend packaging it in clear bags tied with pretty ribbons or in decorative tins. Just be sure to let the popcorn cool completely before packaging to maintain its crispness.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe always reminds me of cozy evenings spent decorating the tree and sipping on something warm by the fire. It’s such a simple pleasure that brings so much joy to share with friends and family. I genuinely hope you give it a try and make it your own—it’s not just popcorn, it’s a holiday hug in a bowl!