Cracker Jacks

1 lb brown sugar
2 sticks + 2 Tbsp butter
½ cup + 2 Tbsp Caro syrup
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
20 cups air-popped popcorn
1 cup nuts, if desired (peanuts and/or almonds are good)

Preheat oven to 250.

Combine brown sugar, butter and Caro syrup in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn and nuts. Stir gently to coat the popcorn.

Put popcorn into a large baking pan and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, for 2 or 3 minutes. Break into pieces before it hardens.