Must-See Fall Movies & Caramel Corn Recipe

The official first day of Fall is September 22nd and I'm doing a big time happy dance over here. It's my absolute favorite time of year and let's be honest, I've been pretending it's Fall for the last 3 weeks and wearing sweaters to force the weather to be cooler.

There has always been something so sweet and nostalgic about curling up on a crisp Fall day and watching movies that give you all the Fall feels. Ever since I was in high school, I've had a tradition of curling up with a blanket and watching my favorite Fall movie (there's a list below, but spoiler alert, my fave is You've Got Mail!). My mom used to make a batch of caramel corn every Fall (and still does this for my dad!) and it's such a sweet memory of mine.

To get you in the Fall spirit this weekend, I've created a list of Fall movie favorites (I did a poll on IG and a lot of you had the same suggestions!) and provided a caramel corn recipe to eat while you are curled up in your coziest blanket. It's the perfect Fall movie night combo.

This movie list has something for everyone. The sweet rom com, You've Got Mail with it's wit and humor all the way to Hocus Pocus and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for a more Halloween-y vibe. I've even included a complete list of all the Gilmore Girls Fall episodes as a little bonus (because if you're not watching GG right now, what are you even doing?).

And just for funsies, here's a super cute checklist I made so you can keep track of all the Fall movies you've watched! 

Fall Movie Favorites: 

1. You've Got Mail

2. Hocus Pocus

3. When Harry Met Sally

4. Practical Magic

5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

6. Every Fall Hallmark Movie Ever Made

7. Stepmom

BONUS: Fall Gilmore Girls Episodes

• "Kiss & Tell" Season 1 Episode 7
• "The Road Trip to Harvard" Season 2 Episode 4
• "Let the Games Begin" Season 3 Episode 8
• "Ted Koppel's Big Night Out" Season 4 Episode 9
• "You Jump, I Jump, Jack" Season 5 Episode 7
• "Welcome to the Dollhouse" Season 6 Episode 6 
• "Hay Bale Maze" Season 7 Episode 18

As I was researching and trying recipes for the caramel corn, I discovered that all caramel corn recipes are definitely not created equal. This recipe was far superior than the first one I tried and it. is. delicious. I had my sous chef (aka: my 3-year-old son) help me and taste test for me, and he definitely approves! I think my whole family inhaled an entire bucket of caramel corn in just a day.

Caramel Corn Recipe

INGREDIENTS: 

• 8 cups popped popcorn (I use an airpopper to keep extra oil from getting in the recipe)
• 1 cup salted butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/3 cup corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 225°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Spread popcorn evenly on each baking sheet and set aside.
3. Combine the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the butter has melted and brown sugar has dissolved (3-5 minutes).
4. Continue to whisk and add vanilla, salt and baking soda.
5. Once the mixture thickens and gets a fluffy texture (1-2 minutes), remove from heat.
6. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and use a spatula to coat all the popcorn. 
7. Place both baking sheets in the oven for 15 minutes.
8. Pull popcorn out of the oven, stir a few times to continue to coat the caramel, then put it back in the oven for another 15 minutes. This will continue to caramelize the mixture and create that yummy caramel taste and color we all love.
9. After the 15 minutes are up, take out of the oven and stir one more time, breaking up any clumps.
10. Let sit until the caramel is hardened and cooled and then put into an airtight container.

*recipe adapted from Sugar, Spice & Glitter