Caramel Corn
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 cups air-popped popcorn (6 T kernels)
Directions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a large jelly roll pan or baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium or large heavy bottomed saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring 3-4 times to scrape down the sides of the pan and keep the mixture from bubbling up. If you have a pastry brush, dip it in cool water and use it to brush down the sides of the pan. Be careful; the mixture will burn you if it boils over. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Place popcorn in a large bowl; pour sugar mixture over popcorn in a steady stream, stirring to coat. (find a second person or spouse to stir while the other pours!)
Spread popcorn mixture into prepared pan. Bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove from oven; stir to break up any large clumps. Cool 15 minutes. Serve at room temperature.
Let the popcorn cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Serving size is about 2/3 cup.
Number of Servings: 18
(for some extra umph – melt chocolate in the microwave and sprinkle it over the popcorn – put the tray in the fridge to harden the chocolate)