My Amish Friend's Caramel Corn

Ingredients

• 7 quartss plain popped popcorn
• 2 cups dry roasted peanuts , Optional
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup margarine
• 0.5 cups light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease two rimmed baking sheets. Place 1/2 of the popped popcorn and 1/2 of the peanuts onto each prepared baking sheet.

2. 2

   Bring brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to blend. Once boiling, boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. 3

   Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda; mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour hot liquid over popcorn and nuts. Stir until pretty well coated.

4. 4

   Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, removing the pans and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes.

5. 5

   Line your countertop with waxed paper. Remove popcorn and nuts from the oven; dump onto waxed paper and separate any large clumps. Allow to cool completely.