Chicago Mix Cheddar & Caramel Popcorn is the perfect combination of sweet and salty and is perfect for snacking on while watching a movie!
This Snack is a mix of popcorn flavors commonly referred to as Chicago Mix Popcorn, a delicious combination of my Caramel Popcorn and Cheddar Popcorn recipes. Try my Concession Stand Popcorn Mix and Popcorn Balls too!
Sabrina’s Chicago Mix Cheddar & Caramel Popcorn Recipe
I made this post just to highlight the mixture of two previous recipes but struggled with giving it an identity of its own while not introducing any new methods or ingredients. The Cheddar Popcorn and the Caramel Popcorn are both equally delicious separately. Combined they make such a fantastic flavor that what used to be a hometown treat in Chicago, IL, has taken over the popcorn aisle! Companies like Garrett’s, Popcornopolis, and my personal favorite, G.H. Cretors sell Chicago Mix.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 7 quarts plain popped popcorn , about 30 cups of popped popcorn or 2 ½ bags of microwave popcorn
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup , I use homemade
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese powder
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- 6 cups popped popcorn or ⅓ cups popcorn kernels
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Caramel Popcorn:
- Place the popped popcorn into two large baking pans.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
- Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend.
- Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 3-4 minutes while stirring constantly.
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
- The mixture should bubble rapidly.
- Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat.
- It is okay if the popcorn isn’t completely coated yet the oven will help us out.
- Bake for 45 minutes but stir the popcorn every fifteen minutes.
- When it comes out of the oven, try to separate the pieces as much as you can before it cools completely.
For the Cheddar Popcorn:
- Put ⅓ of a cup of kernels in a medium brown paper bag.
- Roll the top of it closed.
- Microwave until the kernels stop popping at the rate of at least 1 per second.
- In a large brown paper bag, combine the popcorn and butter by shaking the bag while pouring the butter in a slow stream.
- Once all the butter is in, roll the bag closed and shake it REALLY well.
- Combine the cheddar cheese powder, mustard powder and salt in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle over the popcorn while shaking the bag.
- Roll it back up and shake vigorously.
- Enjoy immediately!
Nutrition
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Sabrina’s Tips
Don’t rush the caramel boil. 3-4 minutes while stirring is the perfect amount of time. Any shorter and the caramel will be sticky and soft. Any longer and it will be burnt and bitter.
Table of contents
About this Recipe
Cheddar Popcorn and Caramel Popcorn are the recipes needed to make this recipe. However, if you are making this mix to enjoy, I would add the two together in a paper bag (preferably the one you made the cheddar popcorn in) and mix them thoroughly. One of the best parts about Chicago Mix is the slight layer of cheese dust on each piece of caramel popcorn!
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, this can be made a few days in advance. Just make sure you keep it in a sealed container so that it stays fresh.
How to Store
- Serve: Popcorn can be kept in a sealed container for up to 1 week at room temperature. It is freshest and best eaten within the first 3 days.
- Store: You can keep Popcorn in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but it is best the first week.
- Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze this recipe. It is best to make a new batch when you are craving it.
Variations
- Cheddar Popcorn: Add a pinch of garlic and/or a tiny bit of cayenne pepper for some heat.
- Caramel Popcorn: Lightly sprinkle flaky salt after baking for a salted caramel flavor.
- Nuts: Add nuts to either mixture for an extra crunch. Pecans or almonds work best.
Related Recipes
More Addicting Popcorn Recipes
Just made this popcorn recipe and it is fantastic! No more spending $26 +$9 shipping for Garrett’s – this is BETTER. Thank you.
I know everyone wants to try it ,but has anyone made it yet
I haven’t tried it yet, but can you tell me in ounces how much unpopped popcorn I will need for each if we don’t have/use a microwave?
thanks. My husband and I are insane about the Smartfood Caramel & Cheddar and I am excited about making this ourselves. You may want to include those words for keyword purposes in your description.
Unpopped to popped is about a 1oz:1qt ratio, so 7 quarts of popped corn would be about 7oz of unpopped kernels.
Hopefully this recipe is equally beloved – Let me know how it turns out!!
Sounds wonderful! I’m going to make this for Christmas treats (along with my cookies!) What brand of cheese powder did you use?
Here’s the link to the one that I used:
http://amzn.to/1f2lLuc
What are the utensils needed?
Because it’s for our school project.
If you’re starting from step one, you’ll need baking pans, measuring cups, saucepan, mixing spoons and brown paper bags. Also to have access to a stove top or heating element and an oven. Good luck!
I have questions about some of the ratios here. Seven quarts of caramel corn to one and a half of cheddar? Six tablespoons of butter for six cups of popcorn (the cheddar recipe)? Is this all correct?
Yes, the ratios are all correct. You don’t want to have too much of the cheddar because the dusting that comes off it gets mixed with the caramel and if you have too much, it really overpowers it. You want to be able to have it mixed but still have the different tastes of each one. I hope that makes sense.
Sweet and salty is my favorite flavor combo so I know I would love this. I am going to make some tomorrow when we have family movie night. It’s sure to be a hit in my house!
I hope you loved it Fariha!
This sounds and looks just delicious! I must try it next Friday for our Family Friday Night!
Thanks Brandy!
thanks for the recipe – I will be making some of this popcorn. We love cheese caramel popcorn.
My pleasure!
I love Cheddar Popcorn and Caramel Popcorn! These sound delicious!
Thanks Shannon!
I have tried this kind of mix. It’s the only way I like caramel corn (mixed w/the cheddar).
great minds! I love the caramel coated in the cheese too!
Oh wow this sounds like an amazing popcorn mix! I’m going to have to try this out at home!
Thanks! I hope you love it!
While I think this looks amazing, I think I am the only one who doesn’t really care for caramel popcorn. I tried different versions through the years, but couldn’t find one I liked.
We are crazy about family movie night. But I’ve been trying to mix it up, so it’s not always just about tv. We started a new huge puzzle that we’re working on as a family yesterday. I need to whip up some of this popcorn for tonight’s puzzle attack.
Hope you love it Crystal!
I can’t believe you made this yourself. I am OBSESSED with Chicago mix but never thought to make it myself. I’ll have to give it a try.
YAY! I hope you love it Tracey. It is the best popcorn mix ever!
Amazing recipe. I just love popcorn.
Yes, my dream mix has arrived! Both popcorn varieties look so delicious that they seem professionally purchased, but I bet their homemade taste puts store bought versions to shame!
I hope so at least!
Wow. This is interesting and different. Cheddar and caramel? This I’d love to try!
The combo of flavors sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to give it a try!
Chicago mix is my favorite. I usually buy G.H. Creators, but I love the idea of making my own at home!
That is my favorite one too!! 🙂
This sounds like a really fun change of pace. I really like that you can use microwave popcorn for these!
Popcorn is one of our favorite snacks. It’s perfect for movie night.
This sounds like a great popcorn mix. We eat a lot of popcorn in our house. The cheddar is my favorite.
You are officially my hero. This looks fantastic! I can’t wait to make up a batch of this. Major nom nom time!
Haha, thank you!
This sounds amazing. I’m such a fan of popcorn and I love a variety of flavors. Caramel and Cheddar sound fantastic to me!
This recipe sounds yummy, my kids would love it!
This popcorn looks amazing! I wish I was eating it for lunch today!