Caramel Popcorn

¼ cup popcorn kernels ½ cup butter ¾ cup sugar ¼ cup corn syrup ½ tsp vanilla extract

Pop the kernels into plain popcorn.

Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add sugar and corn syrup. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or less. Do not let it come to a full boil, as that will burn the caramel. It should end up a medium brown caramel color. Lighter caramel brown makes a softer caramel. As soon as it gets a reddish tint, it will create a hard caramel that tastes more like the storebought caramel popcorn. Don't let it get darker than that.

When it's done, remove from heat and add vanilla extract, stirring in well. Pour over the popped popcorn in a large bowl. Turn the popcorn gently with two spoons or rubber spatulas until it's all covered with caramel.

Eat it while it's warm, or spread it out on waxed paper for the caramel to harden.

#butter #cornsyrup #dessert #glutenfree #popcorn #snack #sugar #vanilla #vegetarian