Chocolate Peanut Caramel Corn

Covered in melted chocolate and caramel sauce and loaded with crunchy peanuts, this addicting caramel corn is the ultimate sweet snack!

Our caramel corn game is either precisely on point or entirely out of control today. You can take your pick but I’m personally on team on point.

I say this as I help myself to my 12th handful of popcorn today. So we may be veering off into out of control territory soon.

However you slice it, this caramel corn is just a snack necessity that any popcorn lover needs in their life! It’s extra indulgent from the addition of peanuts and a rich drizzle of dark chocolate and impossibly crunchy.

Perfect for holiday gifts, a snack table, or hoarding all to yourself.

This Caramel Corn features…

• A drizzle of melted dark chocolate
• Rich homemade caramel sauce
• Crisp popcorn and crunchy peanuts

Making the Caramel Corn

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Heavy whipping cream
• Kosher salt
• Popcorn
• Peanuts
• Dark chocolate

Tips for Perfect Caramel Corn

1. Make homemade caramel – I love the amazing flavor the simple homemade caramel sauce gives this popcorn. It comes together easily on the stovetop in only a few minutes.
2. Use a candy thermometer for caramel – the caramel is done when it reaches 245F.
3. Bake popcorn at 300F – this low temperature helps crisp up the popcorn without burning it.
4. Stir popcorn halfway through baking – this will ensure that the popcorn crisps up properly.
5. Top popcorn with chocolate after baking – wait until just after the popcorn comes out of the oven to top with melted dark chocolate.
6. Cool popcorn completely before serving – this cool time helps the caramel and dark chocolate set. Once cooled, break popcorn into bite-sized pieces.

Recipe Variations

Try these ideas for a different twist on this caramel corn.

• Try a different chocolate – try melted semisweet, milk, or white chocolate.
• Use another nut – try pecans, almonds, or walnuts in place of the peanuts.
• Add dried fruit – add a handful of dried cranberries or raisins to caramel corn after baking.

Storing Caramel Corn

Allow popcorn to cool completely before breaking into bite-sized pieces. This popcorn stores well in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

This is just one of those snacks that once you start eating it you won’t be stopping until it’s pretty much gone. The crisp popcorn is absolutely smothered in sweet caramel and the rich chocolate and crunchy peanuts add just the right amount of indulgence.

If you can bear to part with this caramel popcorn, it seriously makes the BEST gift, but I would advise attaching the recipe along with it.

Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.

More holiday snacks to make next!

• Gingerbread Cookie Bars
• Cranberry Snack Mix
• Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters

 This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 12/15/25.