Salted Caramel Popcorn

Right now my favorite sweet treat flavor is salted caramel.  I just love the salty sweet combination!  The second my eyeballs beheld this recipe, I knew it was meant for me.  I tweaked it just a little and am now calling it perfect.  I think I may dream about it tonight.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
• ½ cup butter
• 3 cups light brown sugar
• ⅔ cups water
• 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• medium ground sea salt

Directions:

1. Pop popcorn and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar and whisk together until mixed. Add water.
3. Continue stirring until it comes to a full boil and whisk continually for 5-10 minutes, until mixture hits soft-ball stage (put a few drops in a glass of icy water until the drops form a soft ball).
4. Remove mixture from heat and mix in vanilla extract and baking soda. Continue stirring as the mixture goes puffy.
5. Drizzle caramel over popcorn and lightly stir until evenly coated.
6. Sprinkle with sea salt, to taste.  Stir.
7. Let cool before serving.