Caramel Corn

7 cups popped popcorn

¾ cup brown sugar

1/3 cup butter

3 tbs. light corn syrup

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 degrees,

Pop the popcorn and pour into a 9 × 12  baking dish.

In a small saucepan, mix the sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Use a candy thermometer and bring the caramel mixture to 250 degrees.

Remove from heat.  Stir in the baking soda and vanilla.  The mixture will raise so make sure your pan is not too small.  Pour caramel mixture over the popcorn and stir.

Bake in 300 degree oven for 5 minutes. Stir and bake for another 5 minutes.

Pour the mixture on parchment paper or aluminum foil and cool completely before mixing in any add-ins.  Store the mixture in air tight container if you can save any of it.  It is so good just slightly warm that you will have to make another batch for the crew.

Variation:

If you want to make it even more decadent, melt semi sweet chocolate chips and drizzle it over the caramel corn and then decide what if anything you want to add to the mix.  Try these:

1 cup M&Ms

1 cup peanuts or mixed nuts

1 cup raisins or dried cranberries

1 cup of candy corn

Pretzels

My mother likes to take her own popped buttered popcorn and add store bought bagged cheesy popcorn and caramel popcorn and mix them together in a huge covered bowl.  It is addicting.  It saves the mess and fuss for those that like simple. 

Be happy and may God bless you and yours.