Joyful Caramel Popcorn

1. Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat. It should be hot enough to melt the butter but not too hot or the butter will brown/burn.
2. Add 1 cup of light brown sugar and stir until the brown sugar and the melted butter are thoroughly mixed.
3. If you can see a thin layer of butter on the surface of the butter/brown sugar mixture (as shown in the picture above) continue to stir on low heat. The butter and brown sugar will come together so continue to stir until thoroughly combined.
4. When the butter and sugar are completely combined, increase the heat to medium-low, just high enough to bring the caramel mixture to a low boil. When the surface starts to bubble, stop stirring and wait 4 minutes.
5. When 4 minutes has passed, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the mixture.
6. Stir the vanilla into the caramel mixture for 1 minute.
7. When 1 minute has passed, add the 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix.
8. This will cause the caramel to change colors and foam up a bit. The bubbling effect of the baking soda will aerate the caramel and make it lighter and smoother and therefore easier to coat the popcorn. Take the caramel mixture off the heat.
9. Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn a bit at a time. Use a spoon to gently fold the popcorn with the mixture until all the kernels are covered.
10. Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with, parchment paper. Allow the Joyful Caramel Corn to cool prior to serving.

Tips and Tricks:

Making this caramel popcorn with your guests is easy and will make your holiday baking party smell divine! Plus you can eat some right away!

Substitutes: Feel free to substitute semi-sweet chocolate for bitter-sweet if you want less sugar