Amish-Inspired Caramel Popcorn

Photo byGwen Wren using Canva

It's very good and worth the effort. It makes a lot so be sure to give some to a friend :)

Amish-Inspired Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients:

• Popcorn:
• • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (about 10 cups popped)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for popping, if using stovetop method)
• Caramel Sauce:
• • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Pop the Popcorn:
2. • If using a stovetop: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few kernels to test the heat. Once they pop, add the rest of the popcorn kernels, cover with a lid, and shake the pot occasionally until all the kernels have popped. Remove from heat.
   • Alternatively, use an air popper to pop the kernels without oil.
   • Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels.
3. Prepare the Caramel Sauce:
4. • Preheat your oven to 250°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
   • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it starts to boil, stop stirring and let it boil for 5 minutes without stirring.
   • Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam up; stir gently until fully combined.
5. Coat the Popcorn:
6. • Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn in the large bowl. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss the popcorn, ensuring that all pieces are well coated with the caramel sauce.
   • Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake the Popcorn:
8. • Bake the caramel popcorn in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and to prevent burning.
9. Cool and Serve:
10. • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the popcorn cool completely. Once cooled, break it into clusters if necessary.
11. Storage:
12. • Store the caramel popcorn in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.

Enjoy your homemade Amish-inspired caramel popcorn! This treat is perfect for movie nights, parties, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.