Almond Toffee Popcorn Food

NUTTY TOFFEE POPCORN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine popcorn and nuts. In a small heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and cream of tartar; stir until sugar is dissolved. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300°-310° (hard-crack stage). , Remove from the heat; quickly stir in baking soda and extract until mixture is light and foamy. Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss gently. Spread into two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Press gently to flatten. Cool completely. Break into pieces.

CARAMEL-ALMOND POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F. Generously butter heavy large baking pan. Mix warm popcorn and almonds in prepared pan. Place in oven while preparing syrup.
• Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Attach clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until thermometer registers 255°F, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract, almond extract, salt and baking soda (mixture will bubble). Gradually pour syrup over popcorn and almonds, gently stirring to coat popcorn and nuts completely.
• Bake until caramel feels dry, stirring frequently, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Using metal spatula, scrape mixture from bottom of pan to loosen. Cool completely in pan. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)

ALMOND ROCA GOURMET POPCORN

Steps:

• Place popped popcorn in a large roasting pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray and set aside.
• In saucepan on low heat mix sugars, butter, salt, and corn syrup. Let mixture come to a soft boil and place lid on pan for 30 seconds. Remove lid and stir with clean spoon. This is done so all sugar and salt crystals are dissolved and none get back in the mixture. Turn heat down and let boil gently with out a lid for 5 minutes stirring constantly.
• When 5 minutes are up remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Syrup will foam but this is normal. Stir until baking soda is completely dissolved. Add butter flavoring and stir. Pour over popcorn slowly stirring popcorn constantly, coating all the popcorn gently. When popcorn is coated, pour almonds in and stir well. Place in a preheated oven at 225 degrees for 1 hour. Popcorn needs to be stirred and mixed through every 15 minutes. When popcorn is finished baking pour onto a non-stick service and let cool.

TOFFEE-ALMOND POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a large pot, melt butter over medium. Add marshmallows and cook, stirring, until melted, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and add popcorn, toffee, almonds, chocolate chips, and salt; gently fold to combine.
• Working quickly, lightly coat hands with butter and gently shape popcorn mixture into 16 balls; place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let cool until set, about 10 minutes.

STICKY POPCORN POTS

Steps:

• Put the popping corn in a lidded bowl and microwave on High for 21⁄2-3 mins.
• Tip into a big bowl and repeat four more times. Can be made and kept in an airtight container up to a day ahead. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan, then tip in the sugar. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and stir to coat. Cool, then serve in plastic cups.