Maple Butter Spiced Popcorn

We have started to have movie night every Friday with the boys. I generally make a batch of popcorn to share. A couple weeks ago I think Finding Joy in my Kitchen posted this on her Friday Favorites...and so I saved it! It sounded PERFECT!

Maple Butter Spiced Popcorn-shared from The Kitchn
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger (omitted)
dash of nutmeg (omitted)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp salt (opitonal)

Pop popcorn by preferred style. I use my whirly pop.

Melt butter. Whisk in syrup. Combine spices and salt. Drizzle butter over hot popcorn sprinkle spices over top and shake. I ended up doing this in a couple times. Enjoy!

**I decided to leave the extra spices out as I wasn't sure how the boys would like it. In some recipes I also find that nugmeg over powers the dish so I went with just the cinnamon. Let's just say this was a very delicious treat! YUM! It was the perfect sweet/salty combination and easy to make!


Popcorn

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

I decided I needed one more "treat" for a bridal shower gift(more coming on that soon). I remember seeing this recipe a while ago and wanted to make it, just hadn't had time or the opportunity to yet. I knew this would be the perfect time! This would make a great gift for Christmas or teacher's gifts as well! Afterall who doesn't love some gourmet popcorn?


Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn-shared from Annie's Eats
1/2 cup popcorn
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp butter
2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 cup(or more chocolate chips)

Place oil in pan and pop corn. I use a whirlypop, but you can also use an air popper or a regular pan and just shake it until the kernels are all popped. Spread popcorn out onto cookie sheets lined with waxed/parchment paper. In the mean time, place pb, sugar, and butter into microwave safe bowl and heat until melty so you are able to drizzle it. BECAREFUL THE BOWL IS HOT! (and ultimately the peanut butter is too!) Drizzle over popcorn and turn to coat, this works best with your hands. Spread to cool. (For me, I had enough pb mix to make another batch so I did, I also didn't measure out the pb so that could have been why).

Next melt, chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl until it is able to drizzle. Drizzle over popcorn and let set and cool.

I packaged mine into a big batter bowl with a lid for the shower gift, after all I thought she might like to share with her husband to be. But you can also use mason jars or pretty cellophane bags tied with a ribbon.

**This was tasty and it made A LOT of popcorn. This was a good thing since the boys were oogling over it while I was making it. I forgot to mention that next time I think I will add a touch of salt perhaps once I get the popcorn on it. It didn't give me a sweet/salty taste much(it could be the pb i used). And yes my kitchen was covered in chocolate...along with myself!

This recipe has been linked to Finding Joy in my Kitchen
Popcorn

Homemade Kettle Corn

I never thought that I could make this at home! I LOVE this stuff and always get a huge bag at the fair and its usually gone within days. This really does taste just like real stuff. I'm not exactly sure how healthy it is, but popcorn is a very healthy snack!

Kettle Corn-adapted from Joy the Baker

1/2 cup popcorn
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt.

We own a Whirly Pop and if you LOVE popcorn this is a great investment! Mix together sugar and salt. Place oil in whirly pop, drop in pop corn, stir so that the oil coats the popcorn. This is key so that the sugar doesn't burn. sprinkle sugar/salt over kernals. stir stir stir until popcorn has popped. Such a tasty treat!

If you do not own a whirly pop, you can easily do this in a big kettle on your stove. Let oil heat up, sprinkle in popcorn, top with sugar and close the lid. wait for the first kernals to pop and then grab hold of the lid and shake, shake, shake. Place back on stove for a few mins and then continue to shake.(ok Joy might explain it better!)

Ours does have a slight burn mark on the bottom of the pan that is why you will need to use all the oil!(ive tried to use less and well it didn't work!)