Sometimes you just have to love comfort food, which to me would include popcorn (especially buttered popcorn while watching a movie).
Caramel corn, well, that dresses that popcorn up rather nicely. I made this particular recipe for my kids at Christmas while they were growing up. It also made it into some cute Christmas tins as a tasty gift for neighbors, friends, and family.
Another plus is it ships well, too. Place it in a container with a lid or even into a spruced up Pringle's can or similar. It won't melt like chocolate does and doesn't crumble or break like cookies might (maybe you haven't had that problem).
HOMEMADE CARAMEL CORN RECIPE
2 bags microwave popcorn
2 sticks butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pop 3 bags of microwave popcorn (or maybe you have an air popper) Remove any unpopped kernels (those are hard on the teeth). Place in a large mixing bowl.
On the stove, in a medium-sized pot, melt 2 sticks butter. Stir in 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar (I use dark brown), 1/2 cup light corn syrup, and1 tsp. salt.
Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Add 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla and stir.
Gradually pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn and mix well. Spoon onto 2 large baking pans (with a side edge). Bake at 250 degrees for approximately one hour, stirring every 15 minutes (but that depends on the oven. I have a convection oven and I only baked mine for 45 minutes total).
Remove from oven, gently stir one time and let cool. Break caramel corn apart and place in containers or enjoy now!
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