Microwave Caramel Corn

My mom was craving some caramel corn recently.  She and my dad used to always get a big bag for her when they were at the mall, so she asked if I would pick some up for her.  I dutifully went to the mall and discovered that unfortunately, the place where they got it no longer existed, so I decided I'd make her some.  I knew I had a recipe for microwave caramel corn from years ago that reminded me of Cracker Jacks (minus the nasty burnt-tasting peanuts), so I looked through my recipe box and discovered that I had seven (7!) different recipes for caramel corn!  Is there a message here?  Anyway, here's the microwave recipe with one variation included.  Maybe I'll post some of the other ones if this one turns out to be popular :).  Enjoy!

Microwave Caramel Corn

22-24 Cups popped corn
1/2 Cup butter
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1/4 Cup light corn syrup (or if you don't want to use corn syrup, use 1/4 Cup gran. sugar and 1 tsp water)
1/2 tsp salt

Put popped corn in a large brown paper grocery bag.  Put all the other ingredients into a deep microwave safe glass bowl.  Microwave on high for 4 minutes or until it boils (it only took 2 minutes to boil in my microwave, so watch carefully!), stirring at end of each minute.  Once it boils, microwave for two more minutes,  stirring at end of each minute.  Remove from microwave. 

1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)

Stir into caramel mixture.  Pour over popcorn in bag.  Shake well.  Fold down top of bag and put in microwave.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Remove from microwave and shake again.  Put back in and microwave for another minute.  Take out and shake again.  Spread out on waxed paper to cool.  Break apart with hands into bowl.  Serve.  If there's any left, store in a tightly covered container.

Yum!