Irresistible Marshmallow Caramel Crunch: No-Fail Sweet Recipe

Marshmallow caramel crunch refines ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary adventures with its irresistible sweet-and-crunchy profile.

Creamy marshmallow layers intertwine perfectly with rich, golden caramel notes that dance across your palate.

Each bite promises a delightful contrast between soft, pillowy textures and delicate crisp elements.

Skilled home bakers understand how these ingredients create magical sensory experiences that tantalize taste buds.

The recipe balances decadence and simplicity, welcoming both novice and experienced cooks to craft something truly memorable.

Luxurious yet approachable, this treat speaks to anyone craving a sophisticated yet comforting dessert.

The combination promises pure indulgence that elevates casual snacking into a gourmet moment.

How to Make Marshmallow Caramel Crunch

Step 1: Prepare Popcorn and Baking Surface

Spread freshly popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Caramel Base

Place a large saucepan on medium heat. Melt butter completely without browning. Add brown sugar and light corn syrup, stirring consistently for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Incorporate Marshmallows

Reduce heat to medium-low. Gently add marshmallows into the caramel mixture. Stir continuously until marshmallows melt completely and blend seamlessly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 4: Mix Popcorn Coating

Remove saucepan from heat. Splash in vanilla extract and stir. Pour marshmallow caramel mixture over popcorn. Fold and mix thoroughly, ensuring every popcorn kernel gets an even, delicious coating.

Step 5: Cool and Set

Spread coated popcorn evenly across prepared baking sheet. Allow to rest at room temperature until coating hardens and becomes crisp. This typically takes 15-20 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Break into clusters and serve. Store in an airtight container for maximum freshness.

Best Tips for Marshmallow Caramel Crunch

• Prevent Burning: Continuously stir the butter, sugar, and syrup mixture to avoid scorching and ensure a smooth, even caramel base.
• Marshmallow Melting Magic: Lower the heat when adding marshmallows to prevent burning and achieve a silky, uniform texture.
• Even Coating Technique: Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the caramel-marshmallow mixture into the popcorn, ensuring every kernel gets a delicious layer.
• Cooling Crucial: Allow the coated popcorn to cool completely at room temperature for maximum crunchiness and optimal texture.
• Storage Secrets: Store the marshmallow caramel crunch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days to maintain its crisp, sweet flavor.

Storing and Reheating Marshmallow Caramel Crunch

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover Marshmallow Caramel Crunch to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent staleness.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep the popcorn treat in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Place the container in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to preserve its texture and flavor.
• Reheating Method: Restore crispiness by spreading the popcorn on a baking sheet and warming in a preheated oven at 250°F for 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning and enjoy the renewed crunch of your delicious snack.

Pairing Marshmallow Caramel Crunch with Treats

• Pair with Creamy Hot Chocolate: Indulge in a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the sweet and crunchy marshmallow caramel popcorn. The warm drink balances the treat's sticky sweetness with its smooth, comforting texture.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful contrast. The cold, smooth ice cream provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, crispy popcorn.
• Enjoy with Sparkling Cider: Sip on a chilled sparkling apple cider to cut through the sweetness. The crisp, light bubbles cleanse the palate and offer a fruity complement to the caramel marshmallow crunch.

Marshmallow Caramel Crunch: Fun Variations

• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans into the popcorn mixture for added crunch and rich, toasted flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle Delight: After cooling, drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over the popcorn for a decadent chocolate-caramel combination.
• Spicy Caramel Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the marshmallow mixture for a warm, unexpected flavor profile that tingles the taste buds.
• Sea Salt Caramel Version: Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the popcorn before it completely sets, creating a sweet and salty sensation that elevates the entire treat.

Marshmallow Caramel Crunch: A Sweet and Salty

• Craft Sweet and Sticky Indulgence: This marshmallow caramel crunch delivers a perfect balance of gooey marshmallow sweetness and rich caramel depth, creating an irresistible treat that melts in your mouth.
• Create Effortless Crowd-Pleaser: With simple steps and minimal ingredients, anyone can whip up this delightful snack in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings or spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Enjoy Textural Wonderland: Experience a symphony of contrasts – crispy popcorn gets transformed by smooth, clingy caramel and fluffy marshmallow coating, providing a satisfying crunch in every single bite.
• Customize Your Delight: Easy to personalize by adding optional mix-ins like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles, allowing you to create a unique version that matches your flavor preferences.

Ingredients for Marshmallow Caramel Crunch

• Popcorn: Fresh, light, and airy base for the sweet treat that provides a perfect crunch and texture.
• Butter: Rich, creamy ingredient that helps create a smooth caramel base and adds depth of flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Deep, molasses-like sweetener that brings a rich caramel undertone to the mixture.
• Light Corn Syrup: Glossy binding agent that helps create a smooth, consistent caramel coating.

• Marshmallows: Soft, sweet ingredient that creates a sticky, gooey binding element for the popcorn.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that adds a warm, subtle depth to the caramel mixture.

• Foil: Protective lining for the baking sheet that prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Thin barrier that ensures the caramel popcorn doesn't stick to the baking surface.

Marshmallow Caramel Crunch Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Marshmallow Caramel Crunch delivers an irresistible symphony of sweet and crunchy textures. Golden marshmallows meld with rich caramel and crisp elements, creating a delightful dessert experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 10 oz. bag large marshmallows (approximately 35 marshmallows)
• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

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Instructions

1. Gather a spacious mixing vessel and transfer freshly popped kernels, creating a fluffy base for the sweet treat. Simultaneously, prepare a large rimmed baking sheet by draping aluminum foil and lightly misting with non-stick cooking spray (28 grams or ).
2. Position a generously sized saucepan over medium thermal intensity, allowing unsalted butter to melt smoothly without developing golden-brown edges, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Introduce granulated brown sugar and translucent light corn syrup into the liquefied butter. Whisk continuously, creating a harmonious blend that transforms into a glossy, uniform mixture within 3-4 minutes.
4. Reduce the cooking temperature to a gentle medium-low setting. Gradually incorporate marshmallows, stirring persistently until they dissolve completely and integrate seamlessly with the existing caramel foundation.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat source and introduce pure vanilla extract, stirring to distribute aromatic essence throughout the molten mixture.
6. Pour the warm caramel-marshmallow blend over the waiting popcorn, utilizing a silicone spatula to ensure comprehensive and even coverage of each individual kernel.
7. Transfer the coated popcorn onto the prepared foil-lined baking sheet, spreading it into an even layer. Allow the confection to rest and solidify at ambient room temperature for 20-25 minutes until the coating achieves a delicate, crisp texture.

Notes

• Perfectly line your baking sheet with foil and non-stick spray to prevent messy cleanup and ensure easy popcorn removal.
• Control heat carefully when melting butter and sugar mixture to avoid burning, which can create bitter flavors and ruin the recipe.
• Stir marshmallows continuously during melting to achieve a smooth, even consistency without scorching or creating lumpy textures.
• Work quickly when coating popcorn to guarantee every kernel gets an even, delicious caramel-marshmallow layer for maximum flavor.
• Allow complete cooling at room temperature to develop a crisp, crunchy texture that makes this treat irresistibly satisfying.
• Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the popcorn from becoming soggy or losing its delightful crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 252 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg