This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
You probably all know this already, but it was news to me! I just learned that you can make popcorn in the microwave - in a brown paper lunch bag! It's cheap (costs pennies per batch), nutritious (you can make it with no added oil and no artificial ingredients), super easy and no mess (just throw out the bag when you're done!).
I was in the mood for caramel corn and decided to have some fun today. I used my Microwave Caramel Corn recipe, adapted it a bit and gave it an seasonal twist with pumpkin pie spice and pecans. This Pumpkin Pie Caramel Corn is delicious and would be perfect for gift giving ................ if you can resist gobbling it up yourself, as it's quite addictive, don't ask me how I know...
So there you have it - popcorn in a lunch bag and a wonderfully simple recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spiced Caramel Corn!
- 14 cups popped popcorn I make mine in the microwave in a brown paper lunch bag, see recipe.
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
-
In a large microwave safe bowl (mine is 7 quarts), combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup vanilla and salt. Place in microwave and heat on high for one minute. Stir to mix well and return to microwave, heat another 2 minutes, stirring after each minute, to dissolve all sugar. Add baking soda and stir well. Mixture will foam up a bit. Add pecans and stir to coat.
-
Immediately add popcorn to bowl with the brown sugar mixture. Stir gently, trying to coat popcorn as much as possible with caramel. Don’t worry about getting every piece covered at this point. I stir from the bottom up, being careful not to break the popcorn pieces as I stir.
-
Place bowl back in microwave and cover loosely. Cook for 1 minute on high. Remove from microwave and stir. Cook again for one minute, stir and repeat for one more minute. Turn popcorn mixture out onto waxed paper to cool.
-
Popcorn is ready to enjoy at this point. However, if you’re not eating it right away, or you are planning to give it as a gift I recommend one more step. Preheat oven to 200˚F. Lift up parchment paper (with caramel corn on top) and place on a sheet pan. Bake in oven for 30 minutes. This will ensure that your popcorn stays nice and crisp.
- ½ cup good quality fresh popcorn kernels
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt I like to use popcorn salt as it's very fine and tends to combine better
-
Combine popcorn, oil and salt in a small bowl and stir to coat well. Pour popcorn mixture into a brown paper lunch bag (I like to use the jumbo lunch bags). Fold the top down twice.
-
Place bag in microwave with folded side down. Microwave on high for 2½-3 minutes or until popping slows down and there is a second or two between pops. Watch carefully at this point as it can burn quickly
Silvia Gutierrez says
May I have the PDF printable labels for the Pumpkin Pie Spice Corn? Thank you very much.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Silvia!
Silvia Gutierrez says
Sorry, but you are sending me the wrong labels. I need de PDF labels for de Pumpkin Pie Spice Corn, not the caramels.
Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sorry about that! Just sent the correct version.
Christine Rudolph says
This recipe is sooooo yummy! I made it for my grandkids in college! They loved it!
Thank you!
Sandy says
Just made the popcorn recipe. Think I died & went to heaven. It is awesom
Chris Scheuer says
🙂
Christina in NC says
Chris- I made this last week with my food science class and today for another class - they all loved it! Big hit. Yes, I made it in microwave and oven - its fine both ways. I also added some candy corn - after it had cooled- to look fun.And we used almonds - no pecans in the house. Yummy!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Christina, how fun that you made this at school. Thanks so much for letting me know and I'm so glad it turned out so well for you. I have a friend who makes this almost every night 🙂
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, is is by far the most delicious popcorn that I have seen in a very long time - all those wonderful spices, the caramel and you added lovely pecans too - I have to give this recipe a try and impress the whole family! Wonderful recipe, Chris, many thanks for posting! I do not think that I have ever made popcorn in the microwave before - it will be fun and a new experience to make this treat!
Amelia says
Hi, Delicious pop corn, yum yum
The pop corn like almost popping out of my screen. LOL
Fantastic pictures, very professional skill. 2 thumbs up for your hubby.
Have a great week ahead.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Wow Chris I can't believe how far mouse has come, how fantastic! He's quite the pro now.
When I was on a little weight-loss quest a few years ago paperbag popcorn was one of my favourite treats. I'd much prefer your version though.