Caramel Corn

COMMENTS:
This is delicious and makes the kitchen smell like the Caramel Corn place at the mall! :)

INGREDIENTS:
16 cups plain air-popped popcorn
5 cups miniature pretzels
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup regular butter
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup M&Ms or candy corns, optional

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 200 degrees.
Combine popcorn and pretzels in large roasting pan; set aside.
Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.
Pour mixture over popcorn and pretzels; sprinkle peanuts over popcorn mixture. Stir until all popcorn is covered.
Bake 20 minutes; stir. Continue baking for 20 additional minutes. Stir in optional add-ins.
Immediately spread onto waxed paper to cool. Store in tightly covered container.