Caramel Coated Cheetos

I got this recipe from a friend and made it for friends and family for Christmas.  Quite a few have asked for the recipe and there are a few tricks to getting it to work correctly.  I decided that Instructables would be an excellent way to distribute it.

Warning, this is an addictive snack!  Salty, sweet, light.  I made about eight batches and gave most of it away.  It was safer for me that way or I would have overindulged.

Step 1: Ingredients

2 ea  8oz Lay’s Natural White Cheddar Cheetos
1 cup butter
2 cups light brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cream of tartar
½ tsp vanilla

I have also made this with white cheddar cheese balls that I got from Sam's Club:  UTZ White Cheddar Snow Balls in a 27 oz barrel.  It comes out fine, but I found that I prefer the taste when it is made with the Cheetos.  I used 16 oz of the cheese balls and the coating comes out thicker.  I believe the cheese balls are a bit denser (heavier) than the Cheetos so the surface area is less.  YMMV.  I have not tried regular Cheetos.  The cheese flavor may be too strong.