​Caramel Popcorn

​Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Popcorn:
   • Pop the popcorn using an air popper or stovetop method. Remove any unpopped kernels and place the popcorn in a large bowl.
2. Make the Caramel Sauce:
   • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
   • Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
   • Once boiling, let it cook without stirring for 4-5 minutes until it reaches a deep amber color. Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature; it should reach 240°F (115°C).
3. Add Baking Soda and Vanilla:
   • Remove the saucepan from the heat.
   • Stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so be careful.
4. Coat the Popcorn:
   • Immediately pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn. Stir gently to coat the popcorn evenly with the caramel sauce.
5. Bake the Popcorn:
   • Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
   • Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.
6. Cool and Break Up:
   • Remove the popcorn from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
   • Once cooled, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Tips:

• Popcorn: Make sure to remove all unpopped kernels as they can be hard and unpleasant to bite into.
• Stirring: Be gentle when stirring the caramel-coated popcorn to avoid breaking the popcorn pieces.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container to keep the popcorn crispy.

Enjoy your homemade caramel popcorn as a sweet and crunchy treat!