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Gochujang Caramel Popcorn with Sesame Seeds (Sweet & Spicy) Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 10 cups
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Gochujang Caramel Popcorn with Sesame Seeds is a delightful snack combining the sweet richness of caramel with the spicy kick of Korean gochujang chili paste. Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty crunch, making this treat an irresistible blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors perfect for movie nights or casual snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Popcorn

  • 10 cups plain popped popcorn (about ½ cup unpopped kernels)

Caramel Sauce

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 250°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set the sheet aside for later use.
  2. Prepare Popcorn: Place 10 cups of plain popped popcorn in a large, heatproof mixing bowl, ready to be coated with caramel.
  3. Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup unsalted butter. Stir in 1 cup packed brown sugar, ¼ cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons gochujang, and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar and blend flavors.
  4. Boil Caramel: Once boiling, stop stirring and allow the caramel to bubble gently for 4 minutes. This step thickens the sauce and develops flavor.
  5. Add Baking Soda and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat. Carefully stir in ½ teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The mixture will foam up, creating a light texture.
  6. Coat Popcorn: Immediately pour the hot caramel sauce over the popcorn. Toss quickly and thoroughly to coat the popcorn evenly with the sweet and spicy caramel.
  7. Bake Popcorn: Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds evenly over the top. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even caramelization.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the popcorn from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cool, break it into clusters and serve.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your desired spice level.
  • For a deeper, nutty flavor, consider adding 1 teaspoon sesame oil to the caramel sauce just before pouring it over the popcorn.

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Find it online: https://dailydinnersolutions.com/gochujang-caramel-popcorn-with-sesame-seeds-sweet-and-spicy-recipe/