Home RecipesDessert Sugar Crunch Popcorn

Sugar Crunch Popcorn

by Jamie

Need a kid pleasin’
keep-those-little-hands-busy
kind of snack today?
You do?!
I’m so glad you came by today, 
I have just the thing for you and your little ones.
Or for you and your big ones….
The tweeners and teens around here gobble this popcorn up just as fast as my little ones do.

 

This Sugar Crunch Popcorn uses very basic ingredients and can be made in about 15 minutes. It’s not gooey, like candy coated or caramel popcorn. It’s sugary and sweet and just a bit crunchy. 
My mom used to make this all the time when I was a girl.
It was a standard Sunday Night treat. 
Wilton or Americolor Food Coloring Gels will make the popcorn colors very bright and vibrant, but regular food coloring will work as well. The colors will just be a bit more subdued. 
Hope you love it!


Sugar Crunch Popcorn

Time: 15 minutes + 10 minutes to set up
Yield: 4 quarts 
Recipe from MyDearMother
1/2 C popcorn, unpopped
salt 
1 C sugar
2 T butter
1/2 t vanilla 
3 T water
1/2 t food coloring (use Wilton or Americolor Food Coloring Gels for the brightest colors)
This recipe turns out really yummy 
if you let little guys or gals help make it.
If you see my little guys out and about and around the town…
don’t tease them about wearing girly aprons on their moms blog, ok?
We’re trying to foster confidence and high self esteem.
Thanks for your cooperation. 
1. Pop your popcorn into a LARGE bowl and salt it just a bit. Set it aside while you make your sugar sauce. 
2. Pour the sugar into a medium sized sauce pan. 
Add your butter…
vanilla….
water….
and food coloring. 
3. Stir it over medium heat
until it comes to a boil. Cook it for 1 minute at a nice rolling boil and then remove it from the heat. 

4. Pour the sugary sauce over your popcorn. 
Cover your bowl securely and then shake it baby. 
Shake that bowl upside down and right side up and all over the town until the sugar sauce makes its way to all of your popcorn. 
5. Let the popcorn sit for 10 minutes to set up and then serve. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today and have a good one!

For more fun kitchen activities for kids click

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37 comments

Pam July 13, 2011 - 1:03 pm

Such a fun recipe and those handsome helpers you have there are so cute too! Thanks for your great recipes.

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Tightwad Mom July 13, 2011 - 3:02 pm

You have very cute kitchen help! I have been looking for a recipe just like this one. You have made my day!!! My big girl wanted to make it with her little charges. The little girls she babysits love to cook, and she wants to try something new.
Thanks Jamie, your the BEST!

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Tori July 13, 2011 - 5:24 pm

Funny we used to make this popcorn for a Sunday treat when I was little too. I love it. We used to use all didn't kinds of flavorings to flavor the popcorn. Rootbeer was one of my favorites.

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Nicole Stucki July 13, 2011 - 5:25 pm

I LOVE all these what to do Wednesday things for kids. It is so nice to have some new ideas! Keep them coming!

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Erin July 13, 2011 - 5:59 pm

Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to make this today or tomorrow. Me and the kiddos are having a bake sale tomorrow and this would be fun addition to add!

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Patti July 13, 2011 - 9:54 pm

Oh wow…my sister and her friend use to make something like this when we were kids (way back in the late 60's) My mom still has the recipe and I think it's about the exact same except I don't remember there being butter in it. I know the recipe is simply titled “sugar for popcorn”. 🙂 I'm definitely going to make some of this!

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Lark (SparkyLarky) July 13, 2011 - 10:12 pm

I love making sugar popcorn & jello popcorn! So good! I love the bright colors you chose!

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Lark (SparkyLarky) July 13, 2011 - 10:12 pm

I love making sugar popcorn & jello popcorn! So good! I love the bright colors you chose!

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Tiffanee July 13, 2011 - 11:17 pm

Love this idea! I am so making it with my kids. Thank you!!

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Dmarie July 14, 2011 - 1:43 am

what cute pics. as I am addicted to popcorn, I know I'd love this!!

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Leckeres für Mensch und Katze July 17, 2011 - 8:11 am

Very nice pictures and explanation! 🙂 LG Tina

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raising4princesses August 20, 2011 - 2:46 pm

pssst! I'm you're newest follower. I just pinned this recipe. My kids would love it! thanks for sharing! http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/

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raising4princesses September 12, 2011 - 2:21 am

just a quick note to tell you I LOVED this recipe and have used it many many times now. I mentioned it on my blog today with a link back here! thanks, Maria http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/2011/09/with-special-love-note-from-pastor.html

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Anonymous October 27, 2011 - 6:11 pm

Hi Jamie, this looks so fun! Just a quick question….how long does this last? I am having a party next week and would like to make it for a treat. I don't want to be making it that day, how far in advance can I make this so that it still taste great? Thanks Jamie!
Jodie

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Carla June 15, 2019 - 7:16 am

I made this as a “trial” and give it to my neighbors and Co-workers to “taste test”. Everyone loved it. I had some left over and 3 weeks later, it was just as good as the first day! I had it stored in a zipper freezer bag on my dinning room table. ???

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Jamie Cooks It Up! October 27, 2011 - 7:47 pm

Hi Jodie,
It is best eaten the same day…however it is still pretty darn good the second day. I have a friend who made several batches and took traveling to a family reunion. She said it still tasted good. So…there you have it. Good luck!
~Jamie

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Anonymous October 27, 2011 - 9:10 pm

Thanks Jamie!!!! I'll make it the day before then! 🙂
Jodie

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Julie February 3, 2013 - 2:19 pm

Thanks for sharing this! I just made a batch (divided into two colors) for the neighbor kids and they all love it!

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Jennifer March 16, 2013 - 11:46 am

I love this recipe.. And the helpers are adorable!

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Meke February 8, 2014 - 7:28 am

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Maureen Nappi August 25, 2013 - 8:28 pm

would this work with splenda?

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Jamie August 26, 2013 - 9:18 am

Maureen,
I haven’t ever tried it with Splenda. Not sure how it would work out. Let me know if you try it and how it goes. Good luck!
~Jamie

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Eric Morris January 8, 2014 - 11:06 am

I was wondering if you can swap the vanilla with other candy Flavorings (Candy Oils)to make many flavors? like banana, strawberry, cream, mint, etc. has anyone tried this?

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sarah March 30, 2014 - 2:53 am

Thanks! I just made my first batch and its perfect! My nephews mexican themed birthday party will be even more colorful now!!
Love the pics of your boys! Although as a medical professional, I feel i should point out that candy in the pan is a MAJOR burn risk for kids, so make sure you take extra care of any little helpers, and choose which parts they help, and which parts they watch.

Thanks again!

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Sharon July 10, 2014 - 12:20 pm

I love this popcorn! I know people who make and sell it but never want to share their recipe. All I wanted was to make some for my daughter. We both love the sweet, crunchy goodness! Thank you for posting!! I know this is going to become a family favorite!

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[…] 2. Fill up the cup with your treat of choice. I used this recipe for this yummy (and pretty!) popcorn. 3. Cover the top of the cup with the tin foil. *Optional- add another layer of washi tape as […]

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Dawn Case December 16, 2016 - 12:28 am

I’ve looked everywhere for this popcorn…..as a kid in the 70’s we would get a Christmas Stocking made of the same material a onion bag was made of and it was full of red sugary popcorn….omg it melted in your mouth but it wasn’t a glaze it was red sugar that covered every kernel…I’m so happy I found this….Thanks for sharing!?

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Edith March 23, 2018 - 6:02 pm

Can you make these ahead of time like 3 day’s in advance.

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Jamie March 28, 2018 - 7:42 am

Edith,
You can certainly make it ahead of time. I wouldn’t go past 4 or 5 days.
Best of luck,
~Jamie

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Gopal July 5, 2018 - 1:50 pm

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Chantell van Wyk June 12, 2019 - 2:49 am

Do I immediately pour the boiling sugar sauce over popcorn once I’ve removed pot from the stove plate or must it cool down a bit?

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Jamie June 26, 2019 - 10:34 am

Hi Chantell,
Yes, pour it over the top immediately after you remove it from the stove top. Best of luck to you!
~Jamie

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Renee September 11, 2019 - 10:00 am

Would pouring it over the popcorn hot make the popcorn shrivel up and soggy?

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Dawn January 16, 2020 - 6:18 pm

When I made this I must have done something wrong. My popcorn was covered in sugar granules and not a candy coating. I followed directions exactly so what did I do wrong?

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Vickie November 18, 2020 - 2:09 pm

It’s supposed to be a sugary coating, not a smooth candy coating.

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Jones July 28, 2020 - 12:51 pm

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