My neighbor asked me for a Poppycock recipe last year and I said I had never made it before. She near fell over!!! Never made poppycock??!!! We had made caramel popcorn before but not poppycock.
No, for some reason I hadn’t. My first kick at the cat was not very successful last Christmas, so I put Ken on the job now to do his best. He likes to try out new and different recipes; I was helping out with my two cents; in the end, the results were fantastic!
We love making treats here like Garlic Rosemary Olive Oil Popcorn, Almond Roca, Easy Chocolate Walnut Fudge, Microwave Peanut Brittle, and Peanut Butter Popcorn. And now our new 25 Best Christmas Candies.
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How to Make Poppycock
Obviously, you have to start with popcorn. The best popcorn for this is made the old fashion way with a popcorn popper; microwave popcorn is not what you are going to want to use. Using 2 large baking sheet pans divide the popcorn and nuts between them. We use a mixture of nuts, like almonds, peanuts, pecans, and cashew.
In a large saucepan over medium heat bring the brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup to a boil while stirring. Continue to boil the mixture, cook for 5 minutes without stirring.
You don’t even need a candy thermometer for this recipe. Then just remove from heat, stir in vanilla and baking soda. Some recipes use cream of tartar but we stuck with baking soda.
Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn and nuts and mix well to make sure everything is coated. Bake them in a 225 degree F oven for an hour, stirring every 10 minutes.
Allow the popcorn mixture to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to a few weeks but as if it would last that long, never would in this household.
You and I both now have an easy poppycock recipe for any occasion!!! It makes a lot, but if you are going to the trouble might as well make double.
What Does Poppycock Really Mean?
Today the definition of Poppycock is senseless chatter; nonsense. Kind of a fun term for this fun treat!!
It is believed that Poppycock, the treat you see here, was invented by Howard Vair in the 1950s as a snack to accompany him on road trips.
In 1960, Wander, a Swiss company, bought the rights to Poppycock and moved production to their Villa Park, Illinois, facility.
It has been a family favorite of ours for years but we had never made it before. I am glad we were prompted by our neighbor to come up with this delicious recipe for ourselves and for you!!
Enjoy this over the holiday season but also it makes a great treat for long car rides, picnics and other gatherings at any time of the year. Also makes a great present to bring to a hostess or as a treat to a potluck! Everyone loves Poppycock!!
Old picture of our recipe in case you have this already pinned.
Homemade Poppycock Recipe

Poppycock Recipe
This homemade poppycock recipe is wonderfully chewy, and as easy as pie! It's caramel popcorn with a twist!
Ingredients
- 24 cups popped popcorn
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup of corn syrup
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 4-5 cups mixed roasted unsalted nuts
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225F.
- Place popped popcorn on two large baking sheets or roasting pans and divided nuts among the two pans.
- Salt the popcorn.
- In a large saucepan bring butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Let boil for 5 min. on medium heat without stirring.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.
- Pour over the popcorn and stir to coat.
- Place the pans in the oven. If they both don't fit you will have to bake one and then the other or you can halve the recipe.
- Stir every 10 min. so that the mixture does not burn. Bake for 1 hour. Let cool completely and then store in Ziploc bags or sealed containers. Yum!!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 436Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 428mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 2gSugar: 52gProtein: 2g
Recipe calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Comments & Reviews
Peter @Feed Your Soul says
what fun and the pic looks wonderful
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much!!
Barb says
Great recipe, easy to make and everyone loved it.
Tara Noland says
We have to make some of this again for sure. We do love our Poppycock!
Penny says
I have made this oh so good poppycock 3 times in the last month, so good!
Tara Noland says
I am so glad you are enjoying it, we love this recipe!!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
I haven’t had poppycock in years!! It brings back so many memories! Thanks so much for sharing this on Manic Monday 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Bobbi!!
jenny says
I live in the U.K. and never heard of this before but I will be trying it this weekend
Noshing with the Nolands says
You will love it. A decadent snack that you just can’t stop eating!!
Ashlee says
I do t understand stir it on high for 5 minutes then turn it to medium and don’t stir for how long??? Please get to me ASAP
Tara Noland says
Not sure if you are reading it correctly. It says bring it to a boil while stirring and then turn to medium and let boil for 5 min.
Leslie says
This popcorn recipe is just what I’ve been looking for! I’m making it today!!! What a perfect snack in the fall!
Blessings,
Leslie
Noshing with the Nolands says
I hope you enjoy it Leslie!! It didn’t last long here!!
Leslie says
I just made this and it’s delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Careful you will want to eat the whole thing!! Very addictive!! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and tell me you liked it!!
Leslie says
I wanted you to know that I’ve posted your recipe of this on my blog today. I gave you the credit for the recipe and added a link to your blog. Thanks again for sharing this!
Blessings,
Leslie
Noshing with the Nolands says
I am glad you are enjoying that recipe, it is one of our favorites too!
M. M. says
Many years ago I worked at the factory. Just so you know, they would never use mixed nuts like your recipe calls for, especially any that included peanuts. They made some with almonds, some with pecans, and some with chocolate and pecans, but never mixed nuts. They considered peanuts to be “low-class”, or “cheap”, like Cracker-Jack.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Ah the lowly peanut get beats up yet again. Thanks for stopping by and giving your input, appreciated!! With or without peanuts it is yummy!!
Susan says
Everybody has a variation, variations add spice to life!
doris says
I thought the color of poppycock is clear?i made it and it was wonderfull!!!!!I had to hide it
Noshing with the Nolands says
So glad you liked it Doris!!! Happy Holidays!!
Lynda Lewis says
Thank you for the recipe I will try it very soon.do you have a popcorn recipe that includes raspberries and yogurt chips they sell this products at Costco and Sam’s Club I just want to know how the make my own at home. Homemade always taste best
Thank You Lynda
Tara Noland says
I have never tried that popcorn, will have to look out for it. Enjoy your poppycock!!
Coreen Hart says
I have made this recipe before, quite often. In self-defense, I cut the recipe in half so I don’t eat the whole thing at once. I have learned that it’s very important to do the oven time. Otherwise, the popcorn gets soggy and stale in the first day. Oven drying keeps it crispy for a lot longer. I have made it without the nuts if we happen to be out of them, but it isn’t quite the same. It’s a perfect follow up to dinner on home movie night. It has real eye appeal, and keeps calling to you from the cupboard from its airtight container. Suggestion: You might consider making the whole recipe when you’ve invited company over. Happy munching.
Tara Noland says
So happy you so enjoyed this recipe Coreen. It is always calling my name to have more, one of my ultimate favorite indulgences.
Sophie says
Vert useful tip ! Also had same issue in the past…
rosangela says
Como faço para traduzir para o português? ?
Tara Noland says
You can use google translate, as that is what I did to find out what you were asking.
Debbie B says
Thank You for this recipe. My mother used to make it every Christmas as a special treat. The recipe was lost in a house fire and I am happy to use yours. We can now re start the tradition and I am thinking more than just at Christmas, hahaha.
Tara Noland says
I would start practicing making it now for Christmas, just saying!! lol
Amy Desrosiers says
This stuff is so addicting!! I love how it is perfect for a snack or gift solution! I need to make a batch.
Stacie says
I am all over this! Poppycock is my favorite snack. I can’t wait to make it for myself.
Mama to 6 Blessings says
My kids love popcorn. They would love this, I am sure. This would be a delicious snack to munch on while we watch Christmas movies!
Kathy says
I’m sure this will be a hit for our family. We love all kinds of popcorn. This is one of our favorites too. This will be great for watching movies with my family this holiday.
Tara Pittman says
This would be a great gift idea. I could make this for Christmas gifts
Susan says
How fun to hear the history of this treat… I never knew that before. And it looks tasty.
Catalina says
I’ve never made poppycock before too! But I should try it! I love easy recipes!
Claudia Krusch says
I’ve never had it! I can’t wait to make it and share with my family during the holidays!
jackie cady says
This is Awesome My dad is addicted to poppycock ( from Bj’s Warehouse) he just found their cashew (his favorite nut). After he finishes the containers he has I may try to make some and refill the container to see if he notices its not the store one, lol.
Tara Noland says
LOL, enjoy!!
Kim G says
Curious… could he tell the difference?
Debbie says
Can’t wait to try this, I am making this for my family for Christmas! Thank you for the recipe, Merry Christmas!
Tara Noland says
I hope you enjoy it, Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Carol says
Great recipe. Have included walnut, cashews almond and pecans – roasted all of them gently in the oven. We purchased large bags of raw nuts at Costco. It is baking now – smells so good. Is there any way to tell (other than the time) when it is done? I purchased pretty Christmas tins from the $ store to store this and give as gifts. Suggest you get the nuts roasted and ready before you start the rest.
Tara Noland says
You just don’t want the caramel to get too dark in color that would be the sign it is burning but about an hour really seems to work well.
Ana Clara says
I loved the recipe, very tasty and easy to make. Congratulations on the site !!!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much, we are itching to make this again!!
Vanessa says
This recipe is very good, it’s making my mouth water just by reading
Tara Noland says
We make this all the time and just love it!
Christi says
Hello! My baby shower is on Saturday and we are planning on making this as favours. Any idea how many days ahead we can make it? I was going to package them in individual sized paper bags and then store in like a Rubbermaid container. My dad has lots of sentimental love towards poppy cock so we are super excited to make this for a special occasion!
Tara Noland says
It stores in an air-tight container for a week, ours never lasts that long as we gobble it down. Careful with the paper bags though as it might make grease stains and make them not so attractive looking. You could put the poppycock first into a small sandwich bag and then the paper bags. That would ensure freshness too.
Christi says
Awesome thank you!
among us says
Can you store caramel popcorn in the fridge?
Tara Noland says
You can but it may get a bit chewy. We just keep ours at room temperature.
framed game says
An easy, delicous, addictive treat. We made this to give as gifts for Christmas. There was no amt on nuts We added 2 Cups of nuts per batch. Made for PRMR.
Tara Noland says
It says 4-5 cups of roasted unsalted nuts on the recipe card but you can add what you like.
Trish says
I’ve been making this exact recipe for years. It’s definitely the best. I make it every year for my grandkids for Halloween
Tara Noland says
It is a favorite of ours too!! Happy Halloween!!
The Wiki Inc says
Never, what! I can’t wait to make it and share it with my family during the holidays!
Tara Noland says
We sure love to make this now and even during the year too! So good!!
Tamara says
Perfect recipe 😋. Doesn’t take long before it’s all eaten up. We drizzled chocolate on it after all done as well…super good and easy to make.
Tara Noland says
So glad you liked it!! Chocolate would send it over the top!!
Flappy Bird says
Great recipe
Tara Noland says
Thank you!
casery says
Great amazing stuff here. I am very glad to see your article. Thank
you very much..!
You are appreciated for all you do. Thank you so much.” “The work you
do is important and so appreciated.” “Sending a little heartfelt
appreciation your way today!”
Cyfra says
Great recipe, reminds me of cinema, greasy fingers and Coke !
Tara Noland says
LOL, all sounds good to me!!