Gooey Caramel Corn

Looking for a gift for the neighbors?  A rainy-day activity for the kids?  A cure for your sweet tooth?  

How about some caramel corn? 

 Start by popping some popcorn.  I use an air popper, so I feel less guilty about all the goop I’m adding to it later.  This recipe is enough for one average batch of popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels).

 Now dig out the corn syrup you never use.  It’s finally getting its day in the sun!

 Measure 2 tablespoons of corn syrup into a microwave-safe bowl.  If you don’t have corn syrup, you can use 7 large marshmallows.  But the corn syrup is better.  Much better.

 Now add 1/2 cup butter to the bowl.  Hey, nobody said this was low-fat.

Now you need 1/2 cup brown sugar.  Is it hard and crunchy?  Here’s a tip on how to soften it.

Put the bowl in the microwave for about 3 minutes on high, or until the mixture is melted and bubbling.  Could you do this on the stove instead?  Yes.  Would it take longer?  Yes.

 This is what it should look like.  Mamma mia.

 Now add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.

 Stir it in, and put the bowl back in the microwave for another 30 seconds.

 While it’s cooking, get out some waxed paper.   Find a surface somewhere in your kitchen that is mostly free of toys, and lay out the paper.

Get the finished bowl-o’-goodness out of the microwave and pour the caramel over the popcorn.

Mix, mix, mix, til you just can’t mix no more.  Make sure to get all the caramel that likes to party at the bottom of the bowl.

When everything is nicely coated, turn the popcorn onto the waxed paper to cool.

What you see is actually a double batch.  Don’t freak out.  If you are planning to form popcorn balls, or make gift bags, or anything other than just chowing down, now is the time to do it, while it’s still warm.

Personally, I’m just gonna fill a small bowl (several times) and munch.