pop-able present

Caramel popcorn. Need a last minute gift for your mailman, neighbor, or second cousin twice removed?

Make this.

This caramel popcorn is even better than the kind that comes in the tins that are ubiquitous around Christmas time. You can be sure that the popcorn is fresh, plus you can add a little extra salt, vanilla, and/or love as you see fit!

I made this to give away, but truth be told, we ate handfuls at a time. I'll just go ahead and apologize to my family members who receive a baggie of caramel popcorn as a gift...they should've been a lot more full!

Happy holidays!

Perfectly Presentable Caramel Popcorn
(printable recipe)
Makes 16 cups
Ingredients:

• 4 quarts (16 cups) popped popcorn
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F and line a sheet pan with foil. Spray lightly with nonstick spray.
Place the popcorn in a very large bowl and set aside.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave together the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla for two minutes; stir, then microwave one minute more.
Stir in the baking soda. This may foam up a bit.
Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and gently stir until all of the kernels are coated.
Dump the popcorn onto the prepared sheet pan and bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
After one hour, remove the pan from the oven and stir the popcorn to break up any large clusters.
Let cool completely, then bag or put into tins (or your belly!).