Foodie Friday: Microwave Carmel Corn

This is an oldie, but a goodie. This is the way I remember making carmel corn as a kid. Now, it might be because I was raised on it, but I think that it is nearly as good as the oven baked variety. I made this batch last week, but will be making more today or tomorrow to give out as prizes at our church's Harvest Party on Saturday.

I started out by popping a batch of air popped corn. The recipe called for 4 quarts and I batch (1/2 cup unpopped) didn't quite make it to 4. So I made another small one to finish it off.

While that was popping, I put 1 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. butter, 1/4 c. corn syrup, 1/2 t. salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a microwave safe bowl. I nuked it for three minutes and then took it out to stir. I then microwaved it for another 1 1/2 minutes. When you remove it from the microwave, you are going to stir in 1/2 t. baking soda. (This makes a cool reaction in your bowl.)

I put my popcorn in a brown paper grocery bag and poured the carmel mixture over it. Then shake it, shake it, shake it. Fold and roll down the top of the bag a few times so that it is sealed. Put the bag in the microwave for 1 min. and 1o sec. Take it and shake it. Turn the bag over and microwave again for 1 min. 10 sec. And shake.

Then you dump it onto wax paper and let it cool. Once you have eaten enough to burst, store the rest in an airtight container.