Happy fall! As the days grow shorter and the evenings turn crisp, there’s nothing better than curling up with a blanket, a good movie, and a glass of Pinot Noir. And for the perfect pairing? A bowl of homemade caramel popcorn — sweet, salty, and with a decadent truffle twist. Try this Truffle Caramel Popcorn recipe and let us know what you think!
INGREDIENTS:
Popcorn
- 1 cup white corn kernels (16 cups popped)
- 2 teaspoons Black Truffle Sea Salt
Caramel Coating
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Optional Additions
- 1 cup chopped pecans/nuts
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pop your popcorn. You can use the oil or air pop method, just don’t use the pre-packaged microwave kind.
- Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Prepare a baking pan with one sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 250°F.
Prepare the Caramel Coating
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted and the brown sugar is dissolving. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and salt.
- Stir in the baking soda. The mixture will bubble up—that’s normal!
- Pour the caramel over the popcorn and stir well to coat evenly (If using nuts, mix them in at this stage.)
Bake the Caramel Popcorn
- Spread the coated popcorn onto a prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
- Bake at 250°F for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating of caramel
- Remove from the oven and let the caramel popcorn cool completely. Once cooled, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Why it pairs: Caramel popcorn and Pinot Noir may not be the most obvious pairing, but they complement each other in a surprisingly delightful way! Here’s why: Pinot Noirs bright red fruit and lively acidity cut through the richness of the caramel, while earthy truffle salt notes echo Pinot’s signature earthy, forest floor nuances. Caramel is also a flavor that is often picked up in barrel aged wines, so it’s likely to pick up the subtle oak in the wine. You may want to try this recipe with a bottle of Elkhorn Peak Pinot Noir Reserve, because the Reserve will have more pronounced flavors of oak.
A Great Gift Idea! Package this caramel popcorn in a pretty bag or jar and pair it with a bottle of Elkhorn Peak Pinot Noir for a thoughtful, personalized gift.
