42. Caramel Popcorn

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 quarts popped corn (or 2 bags microwave popcorn) (preferrably stovetop cooked in olive oil and warmed in oven in roasting pan..see my recipe for healthy homestyle popcorn)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, melt butter.
3. Mix in sugar, syrup, salt and stir constantly.
4. Bring to boil, stirring and then boil for an additional 4 minutes without stirring to caramelize.
5. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla.
6. Pour thin stream over popcorn and stir to coat while pouring (this may take two people, but its so worth it!)
7. Bake in roasting pan for 60 minutes, stirring at every 15 minute interval.  Allow to cool completely before serving, as cooling causes the caramel to harden.
For chewier caramel, reduce baking time to 45 minutes.