HOMEMADE CARAMEL CORN RECIPE

Sometimes you just have to love comfort food, which to me would include popcorn (especially buttered popcorn while watching a movie).  

Caramel corn, well, that dresses that popcorn up rather nicely.  I made this particular recipe for my kids at Christmas while they were growing up.  It also made it into some cute Christmas tins as a tasty gift for neighbors, friends, and family.  

Another plus is it ships well, too.  Place it in a container with a lid or even into a spruced up Pringle's can or similar.  It won't melt like chocolate does and doesn't crumble or break like cookies might (maybe you haven't had that problem).

HOMEMADE CARAMEL CORN RECIPE

2 bags microwave popcorn

2 sticks butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

Pop 3 bags of microwave popcorn (or maybe you have an air popper)  Remove any unpopped kernels (those are hard on the teeth).  Place in a large mixing bowl.

On the stove, in a medium-sized pot, melt 2 sticks butter.  Stir in 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar (I use dark brown), 1/2 cup light corn syrup, and1 tsp. salt.

Bring to a boil and remove from heat.  Add 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla and stir.

Gradually pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn and mix well.  Spoon onto 2 large baking pans (with a side edge).  Bake at 250 degrees for approximately one hour, stirring every 15 minutes (but that depends on the oven.  I have a convection oven and I only baked mine for 45 minutes total).

Remove from oven, gently stir one time and let cool.  Break caramel corn apart and place in containers or enjoy now!

Thanks for stopping by!