Crunchy Microwave Brown Bag Caramel Popcorn

When I was looking everywhere for the recipe for this, I did a search for my post title, but no luck with google. However, I did have luck when I looked back in my recipe book and found it! You're in luck, too, because this is GOOD STUFF.

FIRST:

Pop 3 bags microwave popcorn. Smartpop works well here. Dump out on counter to get rid of unpopped kernels. Annoying but very necessary step, now you won't have any broken teeth when you chow down. Put popcorn in a large paper grocery sack (only put about 2 1/2 bags of popcorn so they all get coated perfectly. 3 full bags is just a bit too much.)

SECOND:

In a medium saucepan combine

1 1/2 cubes butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup light Karo syrup

1 teaspoon salt

Bring to a boil then let bubble for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon baking soda. This will cause the mixture to foam.

THIRD:

Pour about 1/3 of the carmel mixture over the popcorn in the paper bag. Shake it up, then pour a little more, shake, pour, until you have all the carmel covering the popcorn. Now you're going to put the paper bag with your caramel popcorn into the microwave for 90 seconds (if your microwave is a really hot one, watch this carefully. It will burn if you're not careful). After 90 seconds, take out the bag, shake it for 30 seconds, then return it to microwave for 60 seconds. Shake, then return for 30 seconds.

FOURTH:

Now that it's all cooked, spread it out on a cookie sheet to cool off. This is a great one for movie night, or to put some in a paper lunch sack, tie the top with a cute ribbon and give to a neighbor.