You know that pretty cookie/candy tin you saved – fill it with this for a great (cheap) hostess gift.

Ingredients:

• 1 c butter
• 2 c brown sugar
• 1/2 c corn syrup, light or dark
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1 t vanilla
• 6 qts popcorn, popped (about 1 1/4 c raw)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 250°.
2. Melt butter in the largest pot you have.
3. Stir in the sugar, syrup and salt
4. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
5. Boil, without stirring for 5 minutes.
6. Remove pot from the heat.
7. Stir in the soda and vanilla.
8. Gradually pour over the popped popcorn, mixing well.
9. Turn into 2 large shallow greased baking pans.
10. Bake for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
12. Break apart and store in a tightly covered container.

Serves:  Makes 5 quarts:

Source: Sunsational, Junior League of Orlando-Winter Par, FL