Fall Mix Popcorn

I love making seasonal popcorns and almond barks! If you will recall, last year I shared this Halloween bark with you, and this year...here's the popcorn! There are so many variations, so not really a recipe here...just an idea for you to let your creative juices loose :)



Fall Mix Popcorn

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels, or 2 bags tender white popcorn
12 oz. Plain Vanilla Candy Melts, such as Wilton (or almond bark, or white chocolate candy coating)
1 1/3 cups pretzel squares or sticks, broken into pieces
1 12 oz. bag plain Milk Chocolate M&Ms or Mini M&Ms (for Bunny Bait use pastel M&Ms)
1/2 cup peanuts
about 1 cup candy corns

Pop popcorn in a popcorn popper into a large bowl (or alternately in the microwave if using microwave bags of popcorn) according to manufactures directions. Remove any unpopped popcorn kernels. Toss in broken pretzel pieces, peanuts, candy corns, and M&Ms.

Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave safe bowl on HIGH power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Drizzle half of melted chips over popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula. Then drizzle remaining half of melted chips over popcorn, and gently stir mixture until evenly coated (don't over stir though or your sprinkles wont stick if the white chips begin to set and harden). Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper. Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

 The hubsters has been away on a dental rotation these past few weeks, and on his last day in the office he wanted to take a treat for the staff as a thank you.  Keeping with my Spring Cleaning theme I've been trying to keep up with lately, I scoured the pantry.  I quickly realized I had about 5 boxes of popcorn that needed to be used up.  Just by chance I had all the other ingredients as well.


This is seriously delicious and addictive.  It would be awesome as a gift in a cute little baggie or tin.  Your friends will love you for making this for them!  It really does taste like a cinnamon roll in popcorn form.  Try it.  Love it.  I know you will be making it again and again. Enjoy :)

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)*
1 C roughly chopped pecans
1 C brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 C Karo syrup (or honey makes a good substitution)
1 stick real butter (1/2 C)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 squares almond bark

*You can use air popped or microwave popcorn. If using microwave, anything works, but I prefer a “natural” flavor that’s low in butter and salt.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside. And by large bowl, I mean like, twice as big as you think you really need. If you don’t believe me, then maybe you will believe the scorching hot caramel goo that’s splattered all over your hands while you’re stirring in your not-so-big bowl. Just a thought.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a big, microwave-safe bowl. Like a 2-quart bowl or Pyrex measuring bowl. Again, use a bowl larger than you think you need to avoid scorching hot caramel goo accidents. It’s really important to incorporate the cinnamon into the brown sugar at this point. For some reason, if you don’t it does crazy things. I don’t know why. Try it and then email Alton Brown and ask him if you really want to know.

Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup (or honey) over the top of everything.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds (just to soften the butter a bit) and then stir to combine.

Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more.

By this point it should be nice and bubbly .

Remove from the microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda.

Pour it right over the popcorn and pecans. Stir right away, and stir lots. Take too long and the caramel will harden on you. Keep stirring until everything is well coated.

Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

After 30 minutes, take a piece out and let it cool. “Sample.” If it’s not crunchy enough, bake for another 5 minutes. 

When it’s done, give it a final stir and let it cool off for a bit while you melt your almond bark (just nuke it in the microwave according to the package directions) If you want, you can spread out your caramel corn on a clean piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil. 

Now, just use a fork and drizzle the melted almond bark over the popcorn mixture.

When it’s hardened (pop it in the fridge to speed that process along) break into chunks and enjoy!

Recipe Source: Our Best Bites

Bunny Bait

 Say hello to Easter snacking at its finest!  There is something about combining sweet and salty ingredients that is just phenomenal.  This fits the bill if you are sweet/salty kind of guy/gal.  It is a fun recipe and can easily be switched up to create a fun snack for any holiday.  We'll call this one bunny bait.  

Bunny Bait


1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels, or 2 bags tender white popcorn
12 oz. Plain Vanilla Candy Melts, such as Wilton (or almond bark, or white chocolate candy coating)
1 1/3 cups pretzel squares, broken into pieces
1 12 oz. bag plain Milk Chocolate M&Ms or Mini M&Ms (for Bunny Bait use pastel M&Ms)
Multicolored Sprinkles, about 1/4 - 1/3 of a 2 oz. container

Pop popcorn in a popcorn popper into a large bowl (or alternately in the microwave if using microwave bags of popcorn) according to manufactures directions.  Remove any unpopped popcorn kernels.  Toss in broken pretzel pieces and M&Ms.  

Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave safe bowl on HIGH power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.  Drizzle half of melted chips over popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula.  Then drizzle remaining half of melted chips over popcorn, and gently stir mixture until evenly coated (don't over stir though or your sprinkles wont stick if the white chips begin to set and harden).  Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper.  Sprinkle entire mixture evenly with sprinkles before vanilla chips set.  Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container. 

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Try some variations....

Valentines....Cupid Crunch

Switch out he pastel M&Ms for red, white, and pink ones.  Or take out the M&Ms altogether and put in conversation hearts.  Use red and white sprinkles. Another thing that would be good is to put in some gummy cinnamon hearts AFTER the chocolate has set.

Christmas...Rudolph Crunch

Use red and green M&Ms.  Add in some broken up pieces of peppermint candycanes.  Or using some Oreos that have green or red centers would be cute, too.  Use red and green sprinkles.

St. Patty's...Leprechaun Lure

Switch out the M&Ms for green and yellow ones.  Use green and yellow sprinkles.  Breaking up a few Oreos that have green centers would be cute, too. 

4th of July...Patriotic Crunch

Use 6 oz red M&Ms and 6 oz blue M&Ms (available at craft stores)
Use multicolored red, blue and white sprinkles mix
Optional - sprinkle with red Poprocks candy once chocolate has almost set (so they don't just dissolve)

Halloween...Monster Bait

Use the brown and orange M&Ms.  Use orange centered Oreos, broken up.  Use black and orange sprinkles.

Thanksgiving...Gobble Crunch
Use 12 oz. Reese's Pieces in place of M&Ms
Use brown, yellow, orange, red sprinkles

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter with your families!

Snickers Caramel Corn

My 3 old son thinks making popcorn is a pre-requisite to watching a movie together as a family.  A few nights ago, he got out Ratatouille and said "K, Mom....time to make popcorn!"  Well alright!  I had this recipe on file for a while and thought it sounded scrumptious, so we made it and then watched our movie.  I love that we are forming little traditions like this with our little family of 4 (even if it's only popcorn with a movie...hopefully a memory he'll remember always).

Did anyone have a lot less Trick-or-treaters than normal?  Some of my neighbors and friends said they are OVERFLOWING with candy still!    So here's one way to use some of that candy (vs. sitting down and eating a whole fun-size bag of candy bars)!  It turned out delicious, and I loved the chunks of Snickers in it.  I was out of peanuts, but I'm sure that would have made it twice as good!

After we ate it all ourselves, I thought how cute it would be to give away as gifts in little baggies tied up with some ribbon.  Darn...better make it again! :)

This recipe was also posted over at Kiki Creates.


Snickers Caramel Corn


8 quarts air popped corn (about 2 cups of kernels)
1 cup salted butter
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup salted peanuts
30 “Fun Size” Snickers bars coarsely chopped
3 oz melted semi sweet chocolate (optional)


Preheat oven to 200°


Over medium heat boil butter, brown sugar, salt and corn syrup for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in your baking soda.  Pour over your popcorn and stir to coat evenly.  Transfer to waxed paper lined counter and sprinkle peanuts on top. Stir until all is coated evenly.  Transfer popcorn into a large roasting pan and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.


Remove from oven and stir in your coarsely chopped Snickers. Return to oven for 3 more minutes so the Snickers begin to melt slightly into the popcorn.  Remove from pan and transfer popcorn back to wax paper to cool.


Drizzle melted chocolate on top of popcorn if desired.  Let set and store in an airtight container.


Recipe Source:  Cookies and Cups

White Chocolate Frito Popcorn

Are you like me and love anything that has a  salty-sweet combo?  This fits the bill to a T!  We put some of this in little baggies as a thank you after a bridal shower, and it looked so cute.  I'm glad people took it or else I would have probably eaten it all and gained a few unwanted pounds!


White Chocolate and Frito Popcorn
From:  Your Home Based Mom


8 C of popped popcorn
1/2 to 1 lb. white chocolate, almond bark or melts (we used 1/2 lb.)
2 C Fritos, crushed
M &M's


Put popped corn and crushed Fritos into bowl. Melt chocolate in microwave. Pour melted chocolate over popcorn mixture and stir to coat completely. Pour onto a was paper or parchment paper lined cookie sheet,  sprinkle with M&Ms, then allow to cool and dry. Enjoy!

Marshmallow Popcorn

This is where caramel corn meets rice krispie treat!  I was craving a little something sweet tonight and came across this one while I was going through my old cooking club entries.  I just bought a new bag of marshmallows this morning and this looked really easy, and it was!  This one came from my visiting teacher, Jami.

1 bag plain microwave popcorn—popped, remove unpopped kernels
1 stick butter
½ c. brown sugar
2 c. mini marshmallos

Melt butter in small pan, add sugar and stir in marshmallows. Remove from heat as soon as marshmallows are melted. Pour over popcorn in bowl, mix!

Caramel Corn

This is the best!  The caramel stays so soft, not hardening up like some caramels do.  It has become my tradition to take this to Halloween parties, and is always a big hit.  This one comes from a lady my mom works with at the OAC...they always are eating yummy treats!

1 cube butter
¾ c. white karo syrup
1 can Borden sweetened condensed milk
2 c. brown sugar
3 bags microwave popcorn (unpopped kernels removed)

Mix first 4 ingredients in saucepan until combined and melted. Pour over popped popcorn and mix.