PRALINE POPCORN

2 cups pecan halves
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (3-ounce) package butter-flavored microwave popcorn -- popped

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Butter a 15x10-inch jellyroll pan.

Place pecans in a large bowl. Set aside.

Combine brown sugar, maple syrup and butter in a small heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 2 minutes, stirring often.

Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Drizzle sugar mixture over pecans, tossing to coat.

Add popcorn, 2 cups at a time, stirring until well coated. Spoon popcorn mixture onto prepared pan.

Bake at 250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring mixture every 15 minutes with a large spoon. Cool completely.

Store in an airtight container.

Makes 11 cups
From: Ann Throneberry
Source: The Tennessee Magazine, December 2000