Buttercrunch Popcorn

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
2 cups toasted walnuts
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Grease a 14 x 10-inch roasting pan.

Pop the popcorn.

Put nuts and popcorn in a very large bowl. Bring brown sugar, corn syrup and butter to boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butterscotch chips, vanilla extract, baking soda and salt until blended and smooth. Working quickly and using two wooden spoons, pour syrup over popcorn and nuts, stir to coat thoroughly. Pour mixture into pan; bake 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, cool mixture in pan about 15 minutes. Turn mixture out of pan onto foil to cool completely.

Break popcorn into smaller pieces; store in airtight containers in cool dry place up to 2 weeks.

Makes about 4 quarts. Can use peanuts or almonds instead of walnuts.