Can't-Stop-Eating-It! Caramel Popcorn

Our choir at church is singing this song Sunday and I've had it in my head ALL DAY LONG since we practice it last night in choir!  I was planning to post this recipe and  I thought I would use it as my new Friday theme.....I even found a video of the Chicago Mass Choir singing the same version and thought I'd post it so that YOU can have it playing over and over and over and over again in your head as well.  ; )

(You'll need to mute the auto music player at the bottom of this page if you want to hear the video.)

Now....on with the recipe.....sorry ~ sometimes I get distracted.........

There is much excitement in the air and our taste buds are tingling in anticipation......not only due to the fact that we're getting our groove on from this song ; ) , but because my house is currently saturated with the smell of this delightful popcorn baking in the oven!  What can I say........we're definitely a family of food-a-holics!!  One of my children's (and hubby's) favorite treats, I only make this when I'm planning on sending the majority of the batch elsewhere!  On this Friday, half of the batch is going with my son to his very first overnight church retreat......I've been on church trips before & I happen to know that when the men are in charge and no moms are part of the food planning ~ the boys don't fare nearly as well as the girls do!  So, I'm sending this along.....guaranteed to bring smiles to the faces of all who happen to be blessed to be in MY honey-bun's cabin!  I also happen to know that between my son & a certain friend of his who could eat the whole batch himself, this treat full of caramel-ly goodness will be gone in no time!  It's become a birthday party staple for us, either served at the party or sometimes given as party favors.  : )

Originally from Taste of Home, the only change I have made to this recipe is the name and the amount of salt. It was originally named for a themed party and we don't always need a party to make it! We renamed it based on what everyone who tastes it always says....

Can't Stop Eating It! Caramel Popcorn


Ingredients:

6 quarts popped popcorn
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt (I use 1/2 tsp.)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Place popcorn (6 qts. = about 24 cups) in a large bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda; mix well. Pour over popcorn and stir until well-coated.
Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in.x 2-in baking pans. Bake, uncovered, at 250 for 45 minutes,stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely. (I find it easier to remove from the pan and break up when it is still SLIGHTLY warm.) Store in airtight container or plastic bags.
Yield: about 5-1/2 quarts.

Try it....you'll like it!  It'll become one of those memories your kids will look back on one day and say, "Remember when mom used to make that homemade caramel popcorn......" and smile, reminisce, and have warm and fuzzy, comforting thoughts!  But, please heed my warning....it makes A LOT, so make it either when you're having company or your kids are going somewhere and you can send a bunch of it with them.  Otherwise, you may gain a bit of weight ~ you seriously CAN'T STOP EATING IT!!!  Or, am I the only one with self control issues???  ; )

I'm also hopping today with these blog hops: