Juliet's Caramel Popcorn/Apples

Brandon's mom taught me to make these caramel apples, but the caramel also doubles for caramel popcorn. She even taught me the tricks to make it turn out well!

1/2 c butter (1 stick)
2 1/4 c brown sugar
1 c light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 t vanilla
3 bags light microwave popcorn or apples

Combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in sauce3pan. Bring to a boil. Add milk SLOWLY. Stir constantly until it reaches soft ball stage on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Take popcorn out of microwave bagts and into a large bowl one handful at a time, carefully checking to remove all popcorn seeds. Pour over popped popcorn and mix in gently.

If using caramel for caramel apples:
Put sticks into washed green apples; dip apples in hot caramel, then dunk immediately into ice water so caramel cools quickly and holds its shape on apple. Let cool on wax paper. Voila! Delicious homemade caramel apples