Homemade "Cracker Jacks" - cooking recipe

Ingredients

10 c. popped popcorn
1/2 c. margarine
1/4 c. dark syrup
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. cocktail peanuts
1 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Mix together the popcorn and peanuts in a very large bowl or roast pan.
Keep this in warm 250\u00b0 oven.
Melt butter in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, syrup and salt.
Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.
Boil, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Quickly pour over warm popcorn and peanut mixture while tossing until popcorn and nuts are well coated. Spread out in a shallow baking pan or cookie sheet.
Bake at 250\u00b0 for 45 minutes. Stir about every 15 minutes.
Make sure every piece of popcorn has been moved around on the bottom. Remove from the oven. Turn out on aluminum foil to let cool. Store in tightly covered container. Makes 2 quarts.