Caramel Corn

I had to create my own caramel corn recipe because they all called for corn syrup or heavy cream or some type of organic sugar that I don't have.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

1 C. unpopped corn
1 C. party peanuts - Optional
1 C. brown sugar if you have it or 1 C. white sugar and 3 Tb. molasses
1 Stick butter
1/4 C. water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Pop all the popcorn and spread it on two baking sheets lined in parchment, removing any unpopped kernels you find.  In a saucepan combine brown sugar, butter, and water and bring it to a boil. Boil for about 8 minutes until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda (Do this quick cause it will bubble and puff up). Pour it over your popped popcorn and peanuts and toss it till all the popcorn is coated. Bake for 45 minutes stirring several times during baking.