Sweet & Crispy Caramel Popcorn from Leftover Bread
The Best Homemade Caramel Popcorn! Easy Recipe Using Leftover Bread – Deliciously Sweet & Crispy Snack for Kids
Don’t throw away that leftover bread! Stale bread transforms into irresistible ‘caramel popcorn’ that you won’t be able to stop eating after just one bite. Coated in a sweet syrup, its deliciously crunchy texture makes it the perfect snack for kids or to enjoy while watching a movie. Get ready to buy another loaf of bread because this recipe is that good! Let’s make it now!
Ingredients- 3 slices of bread
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp water
- 15g unsalted butter
- 6-7 Tbsp milk
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the 3 slices of bread into small cubes, about 1.5 cm in size. Cutting them too small can make them crumble easily, so aim for bite-sized pieces that are easy for children to pick up and eat.
Step 2
Heat a wide pan over medium-low heat without any oil. Add the bread cubes and toast them until golden brown, flipping them occasionally to prevent burning. This step ensures the bread becomes crispy on the outside while retaining a pleasant chewiness, mimicking the texture of popcorn.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the caramel syrup. In a clean pan, combine 5 tablespoons of sugar and 4 tablespoons of water. Place over medium heat. Once the sugar starts to dissolve, resist the urge to stir! Let it boil undisturbed until it naturally turns into a caramel color.
Step 4
When you see large, bubbling clusters forming on the syrup’s surface, add a 15g piece of butter. The butter will melt, adding a beautiful sheen and rich, buttery flavor to the syrup. Let it melt completely without stirring.
Step 5
Once the butter has melted, carefully pour in about 6-7 tablespoons of milk. The syrup might spatter when you add the milk, so you can slightly reduce the heat or briefly remove the pan from the heat while adding it.
Step 6
After adding the milk, quickly stir with a spatula or whisk. The clumped syrup will emulsify with the milk, creating a smooth caramel sauce. Continue stirring until it comes to a gentle boil and thickens slightly.
Step 7
Add the pre-toasted crispy bread cubes to the pan with the caramel sauce. Use a spatula to quickly toss the bread, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the delicious caramel. Make sure all sides are covered.
Step 8
Spread the caramel-coated bread cubes onto a large plate or parchment paper. Separate them so they don’t stick together, and let them cool completely. As they cool, they will become even crispier, resulting in perfect caramel popcorn! They’ll be extra crunchy once all the steam has dissipated.
