By: Caroline Maas, staff writer

With fall in the air and Halloween upon us, there is nothing quite like a good batch of caramel corn. This easy microwavable caramel corn recipe is sure to cure that craving for fall comfort food:

What you’ll need:

12 C. popped popcorn (1/2 C. unpopped kernels)

1 C. brown sugar

1/4 C. light corn syrup

1/2 C. butter

1/2 tsp. salt (if you use microwave popcorn, then omit this salt)

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Directions:

1. Pop your popcorn kernels (or pop two microwave bags of popcorn) and place in a large bowl.
2. In a microwave proof bowl, place your brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt. Make sure your bowl has room for the mixture to triple in size because it will bubble up.
3. Microwave for 45 seconds, then remove and stir. This just gets the butter melted and everything combined.
4. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds, remove and stir.
5. Microwave for an additional 1 minute and 30 seconds and stir again.
6. Add vanilla extract and baking powder and stir until it stops fizzing and bubbling.
7. Pour over popcorn and gently fold until well coated. Let cool in bowl or on parchment paper. Enjoy!

NOTE: Every microwave is a little different. After your popcorn cools, determine if you want the caramel a little softer (less microwave time) or a little harder (more microwave time). This way, the next time you make it, you can perfect this recipe for your specific microwave!

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Lizzie Mae Early from yourcupofcake.com.)