The BEST Caramel Popcorn EVER

My mom's side of the fam put together a cookbook years ago with favorite recipes from everyone. It is the first place that I look for recipes or ideas. . . we continually add to it . . . in fact I need to add my Open Pantry recipes to it . . . anyways my Aunt Alyson has a killer caramel popcorn recipe in it that puts all other goodies to shame! I love it because A. it is easy to make and B. it is gooey deliciousness! I have tried MANY popcorn recipes but sorry kids . . . this is the fav! The only downside about making it is that we eat it . . . all of it . . . no matter how many people are present . . . and then we scrap every last drop or caramel from the bowl . . . sometimes I double the recipe to make EXTRA gooey popcorn . . . so then there is even more caramel to fight over in the bottom of the bowl! Love it! The hubs and I added peanuts and candy corn to make a Halloween treat this time around and yes we nearly ate the whole bowl for dinner! (LOVED IT!)
Aunt Aly's Caramel Popcorn
Recipe by: Alyson Christensen

1/2 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
4 Tbsp Butter
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup light Corn Syrup
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Melt the butter and add the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and corn syrup. Cook for about 3-5 minutes for gooey caramel or until the caramel reaches a 280 degree temperature on a candy thermometer for set caramel. Stir while cooking to prevent burning. Pour over popped popcorn and stir to coat popcorn. Enjoy!

You can add any goodies for even more gooey deliciousness . . . such as nuts, candy corn, M&M's, Reese's Pieces etc. If you add a candy that can melt (such as M&M's, freeze the candy first to keep it from melting all over.)