Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe without corn syrup

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We sure love popcorn! Its an inexpensive and easy snack. I prefer to buy popcorn kernels in bulk and a big package of brown paper sacks and make my own microwaveable popcorn. Its so easy! I also love caramel corn...but its quite disturbing to see all the corn syrup and preservatives that are in store bought caramel corn and even a lot of homemade caramel corn recipes. So, I figured there had to be a way to make it without corn syrup! I searched around and combined a few recipes and ended up very delighted with the outcome! Caramel Corn without corn syrup! It is so delicious! I drizzled a little melted chocolate over the top and it added that extra touch of "love". 

Caramel Corn: Makes 1 Yummy Gallon!!

1 gallon of popped popcorn (no need for added butter or oil, just pop the kernels "dry"
1 cup peanuts (optional)
1  cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Step 2: Pop a gallon of popcorn

Step 3: Put your popped popcorn and optional 1 cup of peanuts in a large bowl

Step 4: In a saucepan combine brown sugar, butter, water and salt and bring it to a boil. Boil for about 5 minutes until it reaches "soft ball stage" (basically just till it starts to thicken and coats the back of a spoon).

Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda (Do this quick cause it will bubble and puff up).

Step 6: Pour it over your popped popcorn and peanuts and toss it till all the popcorn is coated with the yummy sugar! 

Step 7: Line 1 cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread your caramel corn out onto the sheet.

Step 8: Bake for 45 minutes stirring several times during baking.

Step 9: (While your caramel corn is baking) In a double boiler, melt some chocolate (optional)

Step 10: Pull out your caramel corn and drizzle the melted chocolate generously over your caramel corn. 

Step 11: Let it cool and then watch out cause it will go quickly!!

This would be a great gift idea to package up for any holiday or birthday! It would also work great as little party favors or just a big batch for family movie night! It filled a gallon jar with delicious caramel corn without all the added corn syrup and preservatives. I will definitely make a double batch next time because it was a huge hit and didn't last long!