Microwave Caramel Popcorn

12 cups or 3 quarts of popcorn (recipe here)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda

Place popcorn in a grocery size brown paper bag.

In a microwave safe bowl, place butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Microwave for one minute and stir. Microwave an additional minute and stir again. If sugar is completely melted, it is ready. If not, cook for another minute and stir. Add vanilla and baking soda. Stir until baking soda stops foaming.

Pour caramel mixture over popcorn. Close brown paper bag by rolling down the opening. Shake bag. Place in microwave and cook for 1 minute. Shake bag again and cook for another minute. Shake bag again and cook for another minute. Carefully pour popcorn on a cookie sheet or wax paper to cool. Once cooled, break into pieces.