grandma's cookbook . . . Caramel Corn!

I thought it would be fun to share a special popcorn recipe with you today! From time to time homemade caramel corn makes a delicious treat to share with your family  . . . add a movie and you have the makings for a wonderful evening with those you love! Try this recipe (I found it on allrecipes.com) -

Ingredients -

• 7 quarts plain popped popcorn
• 2 cups peanuts (optional)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions -

1. Place popped popcorn into two shallow, greased baking pans. (IF using peanuts, add them now) set aside
2. preheat oven to 250 degrees.
3. combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a sauce pan - bring to a boil over medium heat stirring enough to blend. 
4. When it comes to a boil, boil for five minutes while stirring constantly
5. remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla - this will make it light a foamy
6. immediately pour over popcorn in the pans, stir to coat
7. bake for 1 hour, removing pans to stir every 15 minutes
8. place wax paper on your counters and pour baked popcorn on paper to cool
9. store in resealable bags or enjoy!

Try substituting root beer extract for the vanilla for a really yummie touch to your caramel corn! Involve your grandchildren in this project by having them decorate paper lunch bags which you can use when you serve the caramel corn - give each person their own bag of this delicious treat! You could have everyone draw something to show what they appreciate about each person on their bags so when you hand out their treat, not only is the caramel corn a sweet treat, but the bags are a special, sweet treat as well! Enjoy!