Microwave Caramel Corn

Total Time: 10 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 quarts popped popcorn

Recipe

• 1 in a large, microwave-safe bowl, mix sugar, butter, syrup and salt together.
• 2 microwave on high until mixture is boiling, then continue to boil for 2 more minutes on high.
• 3 mix baking soda into mixture.
• 4 in a large (clean) brown paper bag, pour mixture over popcorn and shake vigorously.
• 5 microwave in bag for another 30 seconds.
• 6 take out of microwave, and shake again.
• 7 repeat process at least two more times to ensure even coverage of caramel on popcorn.
• 8 immediately pour out on a baking pan to cool.
• 9 variations:.
• 10 for a lighter, more buttery taste, substitute sugar for the brown.
• 11 for extra crunchiness, mix 2 cups peanuts, almonds, or other nut of your choice with the popcorn prior to mixing the caramel.
• 12 for chocolate lovers, microwave for 90 seconds, stirring once, 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 tsp shortening and drizzle over caramel corn.
• 13 for extra spiciness, add 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, and 1/4 tsp ground cardamom to the caramel mixture.
• 14 for easy transport (especially for halloween treats): after removing from microwave for the last time, grease hands and form large handfuls of the carmael corn mixture into balls, then set aside to let cool.