I teased you all about the naughty popcorn recipe coming as a result of learning the air-popped popcorn trick…and here it is.
Okay, so this is serious, have any of you tried Popcornopolis popcorn? No, this isn’t a sponsored post… but holy heck it is seriously one of the best things I’ve ever had in. my. life… and if you read this blog at all, you may have noticed I am a bit enamored by sugar okay, I just LOVE desserts. Anyway, my husband and I tried a sample on Cinnamon Bun Popcorn at Costco around Christmas and it was like I had no choice but to buy some, literally I was compelled… my gut just told me I needed to have it… (which is probably why I have a gut!) But I didn’t see it back at Costco..
Then I found out they have it at my local Blockbuster… which is about 20 minutes closer to my house than Costco, I shouldn’t have such easy sources for naughty things. The issue is, for just about the size of a bag of microwaved popcorn, it costs about $6.00 bucks… yeah, 6 smackers. I know it isn’t earth shattering, but it is safely on the ouch side for a calorie laden treat.
Well, then the other day I saw a caramel popcorn recipe on the SNAP blog (p.s. I am going to snap now!!! Yea! Anyone gonna be there? I would love to have some friends there)… Which got me thinking about the Cinnamon Bun Popcorn that I love. So, I started scouting out a recipe for it, and I am SO pleased to share with you that I have at last created the best and easiest recipe for it based off a few others I found online-namely this one, but switched up with a little less sugar (but who’s kidding who, this is SO not healthy still!)
Here is the recipe…. you can thank me (or for us dieters… curse me later)!
Gourmet Cinnamon Bun Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients:
12 cups air popped popcorn (if you like every square millimeter covered in caramel make 6 cups)
1 cup pecans, chopped coarsely (optional)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 –4 oz. almond bark
Instructions:
To begin prepare your popcorn, you can either make two bags of microwaved popcorn… or to spare the extra fat do the brown bag thing… instructions here. If you like your popcorn completely covered in caramel, then make just one bag, or about cups of popped popcorn.
To be sure there weren’t any kernels, I poured the popped-corn into a bowl and tossed it a bit, to help the kernels to settle on bottom. Then I removed small handful at a time, and placed the kernel free popcorn into my largest mixing bowl. Once you get to the bottom of the bowl, just pick out the individual popcorn avoiding the kernels (this only takes about 2 minutes at the most!) Then I have heard there are other ways of doing this, but the other options I tried didn’t work. (share with me if you know any easier ideas!) Add chopped pecans to bowl and set aside.
To make the caramel, add the brown sugar and cinnamon in a large microwaveable bowl and mix well to combine. Add butter and corn syrup, don’t worry about combining there, just throw them in the microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir to combine. Return sauce to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir (the bowl will be getting hot, so be careful!). Microwave for 2 more minutes, remove and whisk in the vanilla and baking soda. Mixture will foam just a little. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn (don’t pour it all over one spot or it is harder to mix up- don’t ask me how I know, it was annoying!) Stir until all pieces are evenly coated. (if you like your popcorn chewy… dig in! No need to wait… but if you like it crunchy continue on!)
Now to save time in cleanup, be sure to line a rimmed cookie sheet with tin foil and then spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Pour popcorn caramel covered popcorn onto foil. Place in the oven and bake at 250°F for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Remove from oven. Melt the almond bark according the the package directions, drizzle over the popcorn and wait anxiously while it sets and cools. Break up any large chunks. Once the popcorn is completely cool store in an air tight container to avoid it getting stale.
ok thats just not fair! here I am hoping for remodeling tips and what do I get but another way to make a pig out of myself–kidding I love it and am going to have to try it soon my son is a caramel fiend.
My husband loves Cinnabons, and I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing.
That sounds so delicious! I think I need to bookmark this one. I make a similar one, but this recipe goes the extra step with the almond bark. Definitely on my to-do list. Thanks for sharing
O boy! I have a super-duper soft spot in my heart for Garrett’s Carmel corn….. this MIGHT just replace it! Gotta run – popcorn to make popcorn NOW!
Oh my this looks delicious!
Yummmmmmmmm!
I pinned this so I’ll remember I want to make it. I must have smell-a-puter because I can smell that cinnabon popcorn.
~Bliss~
I had to come back to tell you that this is bad bad bad popcorn. So bad that I can’t stop eating it. So bad that I’m not sure there will be any evidence that I made it when my husband gets home. SO bad that I might not mind landing back in my post-preggo jeans. OK so it’s not bad at all. It’s AMAZING!!! Thank you (I think) for sharing!
I know right? It is so good, and actually really too easy to make! My advice, make it and always give 2/3-rds away! That way you get some, and make friends! (I have a thing with making desserts, so I try to send them to work with my husband as often as possible!)
Yum!
Thank you for linking this to Handmade Tuesdays. I’m featuring you next week
.
Yum, this looks soo good! I would love to have you come link up to Sunday Round Up http://www.kaylascreationsblog.com/2012/03/sunday-round-up-1.html
Kayla
This looks so good! I wish I had some popcorn and almond bark now. Taking a trip to the store tomorrow
Would love to have link this up at Sunday Round UP!
3 blogs = 1 party
xx
Heather
http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/03/sunday-round-up-1_8663.html
Hubby will LOVE this!! Thank you so much!
This looks delicious!
Mmmm this looks soooo good! All you need is a good movie to watch while eating this!
Featuring you today! Looks so yummy.
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/03/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_22.html
OMG! I was hoping for a free sample!!! Gotta make this for my Dad.
Has anyone ever tried this with puffed corn?
No, but I have heard about my parents making caramel popcorn with it. You should try the cinnabon and let us know how it works.
This looks yummy! I’m hosting a baby shower this weekend and little cups of this popcorn would be so cool and different! Thanks for sharing!
Leslie
Thanks Leslie, this popcorn is SO good, I have two other new versions that I need to share soon!