Homemade Caramel Corn

Preheat oven to 275ºF.

In a medium-sized pot, melt butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt over medium heat until boiling. Once the mixture boils, continue cooking for 5 minutes without stirring. While the caramel mixture cooks, pop the bags of microwave popcorn according to package directions. Empty the popcorn into a large bowl and set aside.

After the caramel has cooked for 5 minutes, remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Immediately pour the hot caramel over the popcorn and toss with a wooden spoon to coat. Pour the caramel corn into a large roasting pan and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the caramel corn cool before packaging.

Optional: This recipe is also delicious with pecans! Simply add a cup of toasted pecans to the popcorn before coating with caramel.