Under normal circumstances, I’m not a huge popcorn fan but while walking around a ‘Duane Reade’ drug store in Manhattan I came across a big barrel of ‘Delish Double Chocolate Popcorn’ which tickled my fancy. I admit is was the double chocolate part which caught my eye but who could not love popcorn drizzled with white and dark chocolate! Mmmmm…. I’m drooling at the thought.
Then, while on a quick stop over in the UK I came across a packet of ‘Marks and Spencer’s Belgian Milk Chocolate Coated Butter Toffee Popcorn’ – no it isn’t as good as it sounds, it’s better! The whole packet was devoured in mere seconds and I was left with the feeling of wanting more and more and more.
So, I guess it is fair to say I am a converted popcorn lover…. that is when it is covered in lush caramel or drizzled with rich chocolate (or in other words sugar!).
I like my popcorn lightly coated with caramel, so I have used quite a lot of popcorn. If you would like a really thick caramel coating I would suggest using 1/2 cup – 1 cup of popcorn kernels.
Caramel Chocolate Popcorn
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Makes heaps
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3 cups caster (superfine) sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 100g (3.5 oz) dark chocolate melted
Method
- Lightly coat two large, heatproof rubber spatulas, a very large mixing bowl and two large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray or a thin slick of oil.
- Pop popcorn in a popcorn machine or as directed on the packet according to the manufacturer. Transfer to the prepared bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. Toss with salted peanuts.
- Have the two large baking sheets ready. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, salt and 1/2 cup water. Cook over high heat, without stirring, until the mixture becomes a light golden-yellow caramel, 10 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the baking-soda (the mixture will bubble up).
- Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn. Working quickly and carefully, use the prepared spatulas to toss the caramel and popcorn together.
- Spread the popcorn caramel mixture onto the baking sheets and quickly separate them into small pieces while still warm. Cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes then drizzle over melted chocolate.
- Once chocolate is set, store in an airtight container.
I am a bit partial to popcorn actually but this popcorn looks epic! Love the pics
I will only eat caramel popcorn and I adore chocolate on anything. This looks delish! This would be a great teacher gift since it would package up nicely. Bookmarking right now. Thanks!
I love the flavor and colors in this popcorn. What is a movie without popcorn? Yours looks fantastic!
This caramel chocolate popcorn looks awesome. I have seen this recipe in smitten kitchen. You made it really nice.
Thanks for visiting my blog. You have nice space. Glad to meet you.
Your blog makes me so hungry!
Natalie @ thecitysisters.com is a popcorn fanatic too. I’ll have to point her over here for this recipe!
Oh, memories! This reminds me of the caramel and cheesy popcorn my dad would bring home in buckets around Christmas that he always got for holiday office gifts…oh, I loved it!
Popcorn balls for the Christmas Tree??? Bet they wouldn’t make it!!!
The popcorn looks great – I am a little bit partial to the old caramel popcorn too!
oh my gosh. so yummo! i love love love caramel popcorn..chocolate would put it over the top.
Do you remember Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs? You can probably still get them, I’ll have to check it out, but the mixture of popcorn and caramel is hard to resist.
I guess with this great recipe, I could have my popcorn everytime I watch my DVDs…. yummy!!
You mentioned caramel…., you know I can’t resist caramel… and now youve upped the anty and added chocolate… and popcorn
Love it.
I am not a popcorn fan either…but once in a long while, something like caramel popcorn would be lovely too.
I’m a definite popcorn lover, and this looks fantastic! What a great snack.
OMG, that looks so evil! Impossible to resist in front of such a delicious treat.
Cheers,
Rosa
Well, I became a popcorn aficionado the day I got my baby teeth
Your popcorn looks so very sinful!
Thanks for this – I love popcorn that has the sweet/salty blend happening so I’m pretty happy with the salted peanuts in it.
When I was a kid there was a popcorn based product called “Lollygobble Bliss Bombs” – this reminds me of them.
We love caramel popcorn. I have never though of adding chocolate to it. My kids can’t eat nuts, so do you think it would still taste okay if I omit the nuts? Amanda, I also loved Lollygobble Bliss Bombs when I was kids. They were always a movie treat.
I’ve never heard of ‘Lollygobble Bliss Bombs’ – what a glorious name!
MaidInAustralia: Yes, this would work just as well without the peanuts
If you would still like the sugar & salt contrast you could add a pinch of salt to the mixture to substitute for the missing salted peanuts.
Happy Cooking!