Grandpa’s Caramel Corn Recipe

My husbands grandfather made the best caramel corn in the world, and if you asked him for the recipe, this is what he’d tell you . . .

That recipe is about as clear as mud, isn’t it? He passed away this year and we took the long trip up to Washington to be there for his funeral. He was a wood worker, and made the most beautiful things out of wood that was discarded or wood that no one thought they could make anything out of. Like Sage Brush and fungus on trees. He was a special man and lived a long and full life. So I decided I should share this recipe with everyone so they can have a little bit of love from him at home. Make this recipe with your family and share it with your neighbors this week. He would love that!

He was known as the “Waving Man” because as he took his morning walk every day he would wave at everyone who passed by. And if you honked at him you’d get two thumbs up. He was even in the homecoming parade at the local high school. They wanted him there waving at everyone. So sweet!

So now we’ll move onto to real recipe so you can actually eat it when it’s done. Ha ha!

• 4 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Spray large shallow roasting pan with cooking spray. Add popcorn and place in preheated 250 degrees F oven while preparing caramel.
2. To a medium sauce pan add your stick of butter and slowly melt it over medium heat. Mix in brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. When it’s boiling fast enough that you can’t stir away the bubbles, set the timer for 1 minute without stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla; mix well. When you add the baking soda, it will bubble and rise, don’t worry, it’s supposed to do that.
4. Pour syrup over popcorn, stirring to coat evenly. You can cool and serve it now if you like it really gooey, or continue if you want it more dry.
5. Pour the popcorn onto a well greased baking sheet and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 45 minutes at 250 degrees F, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and spread on foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
7. Cool; break apart. Store in tightly covered container.

I’ve added a few other ingredients that I like so it’s not exactly grandpa’s, but it’s really really close. I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does!