Name: Georgia Popcorn
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 9½ cups
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 7 cups popped popcorn; 1½ cups toasted pecans; 3 tbsp. butter; 2 tbsp. brown sugar; ¼ cup salted caramel syrup, such as Monin or Torani; Kosher salt

Caramel Pecan Popcorn, aka Georgia Popcorn

An addictive salty-sweet snack from the Peach State

September 9, 2025

Making caramel is no small feat. Cooked sugar can burn, seize, or separate. It can also make popcorn super sticky or clump together. The simple trick to this mix, which is inspired by a similar recipe served at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, is to quickly dissolve a bit of brown sugar in melted butter over low heat before stirring in a caramel-flavored syrup—the kind you’d add to coffee drinks or cocktails. Tossing the buttery mix with popped popcorn and toasted pecans delivers all the rich caramel flavor you want in caramel corn without the hassle or stickiness. The toasted pecans in the mix are an added bonus.

Preparation

Preheat oven to 225°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place popcorn and pecans in a large mixing bowl.

Place the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan and whisk over low heat until butter and sugar have melted and blended together. Remove pan from heat and whisk in the salted caramel syrup. Pour mixture over the popcorn and pecans and toss to evenly coat.

Spread popcorn and pecans on the prepared baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool 1 minute. Transfer to a serving bowl or individual popcorn bags.