Caramel Corn

Fall is coming! I always make this in the fall at least once for our bible study. Everyone devours every last popped kernel.

Caramel Corn

Pop 2 air poppers full of popcorn. About 2/3 cup of kernels.

In large saucepan mix: (don't use a small pan...this stuff "grows")

2 c. brown sugar
2 cubes margarine or butter
1/2 cup karo syrup

Boil about 5 minutes stirring constantly (seriously it's best to do this when your kids are sleeping because if they fall and get a bloody nose you won't be able to help them or this precious goo will burn) On a candy thermometer you're looking for 275 degrees or "soft crack" stage.

Take off the burner and add:

1 tsp salt
1 heaping tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla

Have all that stuff ready to go because this is where it really "grows". Stir it in quickly and pour over the popcorn. Mix it is fast as you can. Be careful though because it's VERY hot! If you have some kind of really big oven safe dish, use that, or a couple of 9 x 13 pans. (I use a foil Turkey pan) Bake at 200 for 30 minutes stirring every 10-15 minutes. It will still be gooey when you take it out, but will harden as soon as it cools.

Don't make this HOURS before you want to serve it because you will eat it all before your guests arrive and then you'll have to serve them something like the frost bit vanilla ice cream out of your freezer.