Caramel Popcorn

By 1For_Him

Ingredients

• CARAMEL:
• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1-1/2 cups peanuts, walnuts, cashews, or pecans (Optional)
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup margarine or butter
• 6 tbsp light corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Details

Servings 12

Preparation

Step 1

oven 300
Remove all unpopped kernels from popped corn. Place popcorn in a greased 17X12X2 inch baking pan. (I used two 13X9 pans.) Keep popcorn warm in a 300 degree oven while making caramel mixture.
Butter the sides of a heavy 1-1/2 quart saucepan. In pan combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat to boiling. Cook and stir over medium heat about 4 minutes more to 255 degrees, hard-ball stage.
Remove pan from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla; pour over popcorn. Stir gently to coat. Stir in nuts, if using. Bake in a 300 degree oven for 15 minutes; stir. Bake 5 minutes more. Transfer popcorn mixture to a large piece of foil to cool completely. Break into clusters. Store tightly covered.