Best Ever Caramel Corn

This is one of my all time favorite treats!

Ingredients:
6 quarts plain popped corn (24 cups)  ~ Prepare plain popcorn in an air popper or in a pan on the stove top. (Do not use microwave popcorn.)

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Large foil pan (approximately 17x12x3 inches) 

Method:

Preheat oven to 250*. Place popcorn in foil pan. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Stir until mixture starts to boil. The syrup should boil over its entire surface.. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and soda. Pour over popcorn. Stir to coat. Bake uncovered in oven for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spread on foil to cool. Store in an airtight container. Makes 24 cups.

Notes: 
This recipe was a gift from my friend Misha Lynch. 

Because  it is so popular, I make it every Christmas (and throughout the year) for my family and friends. They love it!

This recipe is fantastic just as is, but sometimes, I stir 1 cup of real cooked diced bacon, or crushed candy canes, into the caramel corn, before baking, for variety. 

Since this is an inexpensive and simple treat to make, during the December holidays, place gift bags of caramel corn in a decorative box or basket, near your front door. When friends, neighbors, the mailman and others stop by, surprise them with a a small treat to take with them. (Be careful, the amount of visitors that you receive may increase.) 

When friends and family gather, make certain they return home with a bag of caramel corn. Everyone seems to really appreciate this thoughtful and tasty gesture. (Watch out, some will try to sneak more than one bag!)