Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix

I love this snack mix!  Combine carmel popcorn, peanuts, Wasabi peas and Asian Rice crackers and you get a delicious mixture.  I made this years ago for our daughter Emily when she went away to school and she loves it.  This will be great for a quick snack along with a great glass of wine.  CHEERS!

Cooking Spray
5 cups light buttered popcorn
5 cups assorted Japanese rice crackers
1-1/2 cups cocktail peanuts
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1-1/2 cups wasabi peas
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dark or light corn syrup
1 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.  Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.  Toss the popcorn, rice crackers, peanuts, seeds and peas in a large bowl.

Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then cook, stirring, until thick, about 1 more minute.  Remove from the heat.  Carefully stir in the vanilla and baking soda (the caramel will bubble).

Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn mixture and stir with a metal spoon. (Don’t worry if the caramel is too thick to coat the mix; it will melt in the oven.)  Spread on the prepared baking sheets; bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until evenly coated, 45 minutes.  Let cool completely.  Break into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.