Salted Caramel Popcorn Drizzled in Dark Chocolate
You know those giant bins of popcorn they have around the holidays? You know the ones, they have 3 different flavors of popcorn hiding inside the snowy landscaped tin. They sit on your counter teasing you every time you walk by them. Then before you know it you’re turning the tin upside down to get the last bit of kernels out. Yeah, you know what I’m talking about. My favorite was the caramel popcorn, I would eat it by the handfuls. But thats not all. I put M&Ms in the caramel popcorn side of the tin. Yes, you heard me. M&M’s with the caramel popcorn. Don’t judge you know you wish you thought of doing it too. I also used to (and still do if my husband isn’t ranting about high cholesterol and diabetes) put M&M’s in my popcorn at the movies, which was even better then the caramel popcorn in the tin because the movie theater popcorn was warm and the chocolate would melt ever so slightly. I believe this is where my love for sweet and salty was born. Popcorn and M&M’s was the ultimate movie going snack and quickly became a favorite among all the cool kids at the theater.
My friend was hosting movie night and I thought it time to introduce my friends here in Israel with my favorite movie accompaniment. Because I don’t have a popcorn machine to make fresh warm popcorn, nor did I have a large tin container decorated in a snowy landscape, and no M&M’s, I had to get creative. I combined my love for all 3 of these things, caramel popcorn, chocolate and salty popcorn and then this was born.
These are like those popcorn balls you get at carnivals or during halloween but on steroids. Trust me, these are as amazingly awesome as they look. It’s also super easy to make, can curb any sweet and salty craving just by looking at it (though I suggest trying it also) and it looks pretty enough to serve at a cocktail party.
Ingredients
For Popcorn
1 1/2 cups popcorn kernels
1 tablespoon butter
For Caramel
2 sticks butter
2 1/3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
For Chocolate
3 ounces dark chocolate
splash of cream
Directions
Line a baking sheet or shallow baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Pop popcorn according to package directions.
Once popcorn is popped set aside in a large mixing bowl.
In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and sugar for the caramel.
When sugar melts stir to make sure the butter and melted sugar is combined. Keep an eye on the pot to make sure sugar does not burn.
Stir the salt into the caramel.
Pour the caramel over the popcorn, being careful not to burn yourself!
Stir to coat the popcorn evenly.
Press popcorn into parchment lined pan (like you would rice krispy treats) and let cool.
While popcorn is cooking, melt chocolate and cream in a double broiler over medium heat until melted, remove from heat and set aside.
When popcorn is cooled take the melted chocolate and drizzle over the top.
Once chocolate has set break popcorn into small pieces or cut into small bars.
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I never ate flavored pop-corn, just “plain” one… but this is really a pop-corn on steroids
Giulia, you should sooo try caramel popcorn!
Yes please!! Salty-sweet is my favorite and these totally hit the spot!
There may or may not be a little bit more hiding in the back of my fridge
I have such great memories surrounding popcorn. My grand mother used to make popcorn, butter it somehow, then throw it in a paper bag with lots of sugar. It was the most amazing treat. Your popcorn balls definitely do look like something delicious and then some!
buttery popcorn with sugar all over sounds pretty amazing to me.
I will have to try this salty sweet combo. I always never really been thrilled with caramel popcorn-perhaps chocolate is just the thing to change that. Great post.!
A lot of caramel popcorn tends to be very sweet, but with the addition to salt in this recipe its the perfect balance.
I think I’d eat every single piece of this popcorn! Caramel corn is one of my admitted weaknesses…and this version looks amazing!!!
I probably would have eaten ever last kernel of this had I not brought it to my friends place!!
I want these. NOW!!!! And don’t even consider asking me to share. No. Go away.
No but seriously, that is such a great idea and these really look tempting.
And you are a genius! Popcorn AND M&Ms???
Cheers,
Tobias
Hahah Thats how I felt when I made it! I just wanted to hoard it all for myself.
Love the way that you have this popcorn…caramel and chocolate. Beautiful pictures as well,
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead
Thanks so much Juliana! Have a great week!
I’m with you. I love sweet and salty. Not exactly health food but soooo good.
Stephanie what do you mean not health food? Corn is a veggie
I have never eaten flavoured pop corns either (they do not sell them in Italy… but I have seen them here)! I will have to try! I LOVE salted caramel AND chocolate so I believe you when you say these taste awesome!!!! I would love to have a couple of those while watching a nice movie!!!
Manu!! You have to try caramel popcorn!! I dont think they sell flavored popcorn in Israel either. You are all missing out!!!
I think my heart might have just stopped! I love salted caramel and salted dark chocolate is just to die for. What a combination you have here!
Thanks Cassie. Truly the BEST combination ever. Salted caramel and chocolate…Yum
Ok Beth, it is like you read my mind..I would love this right now, you have no idea how much I love this combination plus if there is a bit of caramel with chocolate..mmmm there is no better snack!:)) You did fantastic job(as always) and photos lovely too!!!
Thanks so much Sandra!! I agree absolutely no better snack!
I love popcorn! I think the addition of dark chocolate and salted caramel is a great idea! Did you pack it into a brownie pan like a casserole and then cut out squares? Looks great!
I packed it onto a large baking sheet and then I broke it apart once it was dried and cooled. You can totally use a casserole and then cut it into squares too!
I’m hooked on this just by looking at the pictures!
Hahah if youre hooked just by looking at the photos just imagine what would happen after you tried it!!!
Wow…I am drooling over here…This looks so delicious…First time here…I am glad that I reached here…and your blog is too good…Straight away bookmarking your blog…This one is really good… …Will try it soon…Thanks for the recipe dear…If you have time do check out my blog..
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
Aarthi
Thanks Aarthi. Im so glad you found my blog and hope that you continue to visit!! Going over to visit yours now!!
AMAZING! Perfect fun finger food – you’re right – for movie night or a cocktail party! Love food like this!!! I would find it hard to STOP snacking though!!!
Thanks!! Its not hard to stop snacking, its near impossible.
I want to eat this but I “can’t” make it because I know how addicting this is. I need someone to hold this and give me a piece by piece….otherwise I can eat this a bucket full and no joke. Salty and sweet, and dark chocolate – you picked everything right (for me~~~~)!
Hahah Nami I totally hear what youre saying! I probably should never make it again unless I have someone feeding it to me piece by piece and then cutting me off!
Soooooo much better than your average kettle corn! Sweet, salty, and… chocolatey! I love it!
Tiffany, this is beyond kettle corn!!
Love popcorn… your looks wonderful.
Thanks so much Christine!
I making popcorn 2 week ago & it’s burn! Don’t know where I got wrong- maybe I’m not a popcorn girl?
bu I loves pop corn so much & want to make a homemade one, since it have to be healthier, right?
So when I looking at the title & pic, I’m so happy!
Tq for posting these Beth!
I’m already mouthwatering ! LOL
The key to making popcorn not burn is by shaking the pot while its on the stove. Also, dont leave the pot on the stove any longer then needed. Hopefully next time you try, this will help!
The caramel was always my favorite too….and the M&M’s added was brilliant.
Great snack…..the chocolate drizzle is perfect.
Thanks Briarrose!! If you ever get one of those tins again, ADD THE M&Ms!!!!
This recipe looks incredible and the popcorn bars look super scrumptious. Yum!
Thanks Russell! They are addictive!
Those clusters are making me drool! I just had store bought caramel popcorn yesterday while at the movies and already I want more – and it’s easy cause there homemade – a wonderful recipe!!!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru