Crunchy Caramel Corn

1 stick butter (1/2 c)
2 c brown sugar
1/2 c corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
3 bags microwave popcorn, popped (I use Orville Reddenbacher's 94% fat free)


Preheat oven to 250. (That's 250, not 350!) Put popped popcorn into a large turkey roaster or two large casserole dishes. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once completely melted, add brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stirring constantly, cook over medium until mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, stop stirring and allow it to continue to boil for four minutes.

Meanwhile, put the roaster or pans with the popcorn into the oven. Once the caramel mixture has boiled for four minutes, remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Remove roaster from the oven and drizzle caramel over the popcorn, stirring to coat.

Return roasing pan to the oven for 15 minutes. Take it out and stir it. Then back in the oven for 15 minutes. Take it out and stir it. Then back in the oven for a final 15 minutes (45 minutes total). After it has cooled for a few minutes, break it up into pieces and enjoy... or wait until it cools completely.

This is a yummy homemade version of Cracker Jack; we loved it!


(I got this recipe from allrecipes.com but made a few changes to it)