Week 51 :: Mama's Famous Caramel Corn

INGREDIENTS:
-Cooking spray
-4 quarts popped popcorn
-1 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup
-1/2 cup butter
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/2 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spray large, shallow pan with cooking spray. Add popcorn. 

2. Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat. 

3. Boil 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Mix well. 

4. Pour syrup over warm popcorn, stirring to coat evenly. 

5. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spread on wax paper. Cool. Break Apart. Store in tightly covered container (we use mason jars). 

Rating: 10/5

"Notes for Next Time": This is a family Christmas tradition and boy is it tasty! Mom makes caramel corn for our family and friends for the holidays. People can't get enough of it! It's a well-oiled machine now. Just make sure not to burn the popcorn - and wait to add the baking soda / vanilla until boiling - and you are set! Oh, and break the popcorn apart shortly after it cools or it will turn more crumbly if you wait too long. 

Recipe by: Mama Noga