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 packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup (170g) light corn syrup (substitute glucose, golden syrup, honey, or maple syrup 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 so festive and comforting about the warm spices and sweet crunch of this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe. It’s my go-to treat when I want to fill the house with cozy holiday aromas and share a snack that everyone can’t stop munching on.

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’m pretty picky about popcorn snacks, but this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe never disappoints. The combo of holiday spices with rich caramel means it’s both nostalgic and unique — perfect for gifting or cozy nights in.

Perfect Holiday Flavors: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice brings classic Christmas warmth into every crunchy bite.
Balanced Sweetness: You get just the right caramel coating—sweet, but not overpowering—letting the popcorn’s texture shine.
Crunchy, Not Sticky: Thanks to baking the popcorn, the caramel crisps up beautifully so it won’t clump or get soggy.
Great for Sharing: Whether it’s a party, holiday movie night, or a thoughtful gift, this popcorn brings everyone together.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe plays a key role — from the popcorn’s crunch to the caramel's luscious smoothness and those lovely warming spices. Here’s why I keep coming back to these staples when I make it.

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 the popcorn pop evenly and gives it a light base, but if you use an air popper, you can skip this.
Popping Corn: I use around ⅓ cup kernels, which yields about 10 cups popped—perfect for that full caramel coverage without overdoing it.
Slivered Almonds: Tossed on top for extra crunch and a nutty contrast that complements the caramel and spices.
Butter (unsalted): Gives the caramel its rich and creamy texture without extra salt, so you control seasoning better.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molassesy sweetness that’s way better than regular sugar here.
Corn Syrup (or Glucose): This is a showstopper — keeps the caramel smooth and prevents it from crystallizing, which can ruin the texture.
Salt: Balances the sweet and brings out the depth of the flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and a little complexity that lifts the caramel beyond just sweet.
Baking Soda: When whisked in, it aerates the caramel so it foams and coats the popcorn with that perfect, light crunch.
Christmas Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Allspice, Cloves): This blend is what transforms plain caramel popcorn into a seasonal delight bursting with 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

This Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe is a wonderful base, but I love to play around with it depending on the occasion. Don’t hesitate to tweak spices or nuts to match your taste — that’s half the fun!

Variation: One year, I swapped out almonds for pecans and added a touch of orange zest to the caramel. It added such a fresh twist to the spices — friends raved about it!
Make it Vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of corn syrup. It’ll be a softer texture but still delicious.
Extra Spice Kick: If you like a little heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix for a surprising holiday kick.

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: Perfectly Pop Your Corn

I start by heating the vegetable oil over medium heat in a big pot. Toss in a couple of kernels to test when it’s ready—they’ll pop soon after heating up. Then add the rest of the popping corn, cover, and gently shake the pot occasionally to keep the kernels moving. When the popping slows to about 3-second intervals, I get it off the heat and dump the popcorn into a huge bowl. This method keeps it light and fluffy, perfect for coating later!

Step 2: Whip Up That Irresistible Caramel

Next, I melt butter over medium heat, then stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt—just until it’s combined. I let it bubble and simmer for exactly 4 minutes without stirring, which is key to getting that perfect caramel consistency. As soon as I take it off the heat, I whisk in the warm vanilla, the holiday spice blend, and baking soda. The mixture foams up immediately — it’s magical and signals you’re on the right track!

Step 3: Coat, Bake, and Crisp

I pour the caramel evenly over the popcorn, sprinkle the slivered almonds on top, and toss everything quickly so it’s well coated. Then, I spread the popcorn on two baking sheets and bake at a low temperature (110°C/230°F) for 45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes to keep the caramel evenly distributed. This slow bake is what transforms the popcorn into that crisp, addictive snack that won’t stick together.

Top Tip

From my many batches of this Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe, I’ve learned some tricks that make all the difference in texture and flavor, so here are my top tips to get it just right.

Don’t Skip Shaking the Pot: When popping the corn, shaking ensures even popping and avoids burnt bits—a must for fluffy popcorn.
Careful with Simmer Time: Exactly 4 minutes simmering without stirring helps the sugar dissolve properly for silky caramel; going too long makes it grainy.
Whisk Quickly When Adding Baking Soda: The foaming action happens fast and coats the popcorn in light, bubbly caramel—I find whisking vigorously for 10 seconds is perfect.
Toss During Baking: Turning the popcorn every 10 minutes prevents clumps and ensures every kernel gets that beautiful crisp coating.

How to Serve Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or finely grated orange zest right before serving — it brightens the sweet spice and adds a fresh pop of color. Sometimes, to jazz it up for guests, I add festive red and green sprinkles for Christmas parties.

Side Dishes

This popcorn is fantastic on its own but pairs beautifully with a warm cup of spiced cider or hot chocolate. I also love serving it alongside creamy cheese boards or soft baked brie for a sweet and savory contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to portion the popcorn into small cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon and a handwritten tag. It makes such a thoughtful gift from the kitchen! You could also serve it in festive bowls lined with parchment paper or in mason jars for an inviting snack station.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I keep the popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays perfectly crisp for 2 to 3 weeks, which is great if you’re making it ahead for parties or gift-giving.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing this popcorn myself, but based on similar recipes, freezing in a sealed freezer bag should keep it fresh. Just make sure to let it come back to room temp before opening to avoid condensation making it soggy.

Reheating

If your popcorn loses some crispness after a few days, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a low oven (about 120°C/250°F) freshens it up nicely. Just watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use air-popped popcorn for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using air-popped popcorn is a great way to reduce oil content. Just skip the vegetable oil when popping and proceed with the caramel coating as usual.

What if I don’t have corn syrup?

Corn syrup helps prevent crystallization and keeps the caramel smooth, but you can substitute with glucose syrup or golden syrup. If using alternatives, bake the popcorn a bit longer (about 15 extra minutes) to ensure the coating sets properly.

How do I store Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn so it stays crunchy?

Storing in an airtight container at room temperature is best. Avoid humid places, and don’t refrigerate, as moisture can make the popcorn soggy. Proper storage means it’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to 3 weeks.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free popcorn kernels and check that your corn syrup or glucose syrup doesn’t contain any gluten additives. Always double-check ingredient labels for safety.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Spiced Caramel Popcorn Recipe has truly become a holiday classic at my house — it’s a recipe I recommend to friends every year. The combination of spices, buttery caramel, and that satisfying crunch is just pure joy in a bowl. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a little extra magic to your festive season.