Healthier caramel corn

Ingredients

 * 3/4 cup maple syrup
 * 3 tbsp butter (see note)
 * 2 tbsp sucanat (opt., see note)
 * 1/4 tsp salt
 * 1/4 tsp baking soda
 * 1/4 tsp vanilla
 * 1/2 cup nuts (opt., adds fat)
 * 8 cup (to 12) popped popcorn (see
 * -note)

Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine syrup, butter, sucanat and salt in saucepan until butter is melted. Boil without stirring 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla (add nuts if using). Pour over popcorn. Mix well. Place on 2 large cook sheets. Bake for 15 minut4es. Cool. Break into pieces. Freezes well. Notes: ~ butter is easier to digest than margarine. Can be reduced to 1 tablespoon. ~ sucanat is a natural sweetener found in health food stores. Can be omitted. ~to save time, purchase a 16-ounce bag of pre-popped plain popcorn.