Gooey Caramel Popcorn

This is one of my family's favorite treats!  It is a great treat to serve while soft and warm, or to let cool and become a little more chewy.  Last night, my mom decided to try adding cashews in the mix, which you might try, but after eating, my father said, "it's not one of your most inspired ideas."  Let me know what additions or changes you try.  Maybe you will have an inspired idea...

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 -2 teaspoons vanilla
• Large bowl of popcorn

Supplies

• Medium Pot
• Wooden Spoon
• Large bowl
• Small bowl filled with ice water

Directions

1. Pop large bowl of popcorn

2. Combine all ingredients except the popcorn and vanilla into the pot

3. Heat on medium until mixture begins to boil

4. Boil for about 5 minutes until you reach the soft ball stage
5. To test for soft ball stage, drop a blob of the caramel into the ice water, let sit for a few seconds, then try to form into a ball (if you can form a soft ball, you are done)

6. Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir

7. Pour over the popcorn and mix together, making sure you do not stir vigorously and burn yourself (it will seem like you do not have enough caramel at first, but keep stirring because you will have enough)

8. Once all the popcorn is coated, dig in!