Chocolate Popcorn

    Happy New Year All!  Despite some recent changes in my life I do believe this year is going to be a prosperous year.  I have some sweet stuff  in store that I am going to change up here on Never Dessert You.  I cannot wait to share with you guys.  

    Well since this is my first post for the new year, I wanted to share something extra special.  Last night I posted a question on my fan page on Facebook what is their favorite flavored popcorn?  I got  responses from butter, down to kernel popcorn.  My all time favorite is caramel popcorn.  Some people do not like sweet popcorn.  But I see it more of as a candy treat.  It reminds me of the carnival fairs.

    We all know chocolate is always good on whatever you put it on.  So why not on some popcorn? Yes! Finger-licking good.  This is going to make you take several seats.

 

    When my daughter saw this she said "Mommy why you burn the popcorn"?  I laughed and said no Hun, it is chocolate popcorn.  She replied and said "Oh! OK, good, can I have mines please"?  And you know Mommy scored since she made sure she took some to school for her lunch snack.    I will definitely  be making these again but as popcorn balls.

Chocolate Popcorn

Ingredients

4 cups popcorn kernels, popped (you can also use 4 bags of microwave popcorn)
1 cup butter
2 cups firmly backed brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup Dutch  process cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.  Make sure any unpopped kernels are removed form popcorn.  Place popcorn in a large roasting pan.

2.  In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat.  Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla.  Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

3.  Sift together cocoa and baking soda.  Add to sugar mixture, whisking until combined.  Drizzle over popcorn, tossing gently to coat.

4.  Bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.  Remove from oven and spread popcorn in a single layer on wax paper.  Cool completely.  Dig in :)

*Popcorn can be stored in airtight container up to two weeks.

Recipe adapted from Cooking with Paula Deen