Movie Candy Caramel Corn

Yield: 24 cups

Ingredients

• 16 cups popped popcorn
• 5 cups mini pretzels
• 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 2 cups favorite candy; candy corn, mini chocolate mints, chocolate covered raisins or peanuts, M&M's, bridge mix or whatever you would like

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 200 degrees F.
2. In large roasting pan combine popcorn and pretzels; set aside.
3. In a 2 quart saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mix comes to a boil (12 to 14 minutes). Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until candy thermometer reads 238 degrees F or small amount of mix dropped in ice water forms a soft ball (4 to 6 minutes).
4. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda. Pour over popcorn mixture; sprinkle peanuts over coating. Stir until popcorn is coated.
5. Bake for 20 minutes; stir.
6. Continue baking for 25 minutes.
7. Remove from oven; stir in candy.
8. Immediately place caramel corn on wax paper; cool completely.
9. Break into pieces.
10. Store in tightly covered container.