Caramel Popcorn Bars Food

CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN BARS

Steps:

• Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Melt the peanut butter and butter together in a medium saucepan over low heat, then stir in the marshmallows. Continue to stir until the marshmallows are melted.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the popcorn to coat evenly in the melted marshmallow mixture. Pour the popcorn mixture into the coated baking dish and spread out into an even layer. Drizzle the popcorn with the chocolate sauce. Allow the popcorn treats to cool for 30 minutes, then cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Pop the popcorn. I like to use a hot-air popper but you can pop it any way you like.
• To make the caramel: Place the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until light golden brown. We use a large pan so that there will be room to add the popcorn. Use a wooden spoon to stir the popcorn into the caramel until it is evenly coated. Pour the caramelized popcorn onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and allow it to cool. When cool, use your hands to break up any clumps.
• Place the cool popcorn in a large bowl. Use a ladle to drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn, stirring with a wooden spoon as you go. Keep adding chocolate until the popcorn is evenly coated. Pour the chocolate-coated popcorn onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and allow it to cool. When it is cool, place it in decorative bags to give as gifts.
• Tip: You can also use milk chocolate and/or white chocolate to coat the popcorn. The process is always the same.
• Be careful when you work with the caramel. It is very hot and can burn! As always, when working with caramel, have a bowl of ice-cold water next to you in case you get caramel on your hands.

EASY CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F.
• Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray. Cook caramels, butter and water in large saucepan on low heat until caramels are melted, stirring frequently.
• Combine popcorn and nuts in large bowl. Add caramel mixture; toss to coat. Spread onto prepared baking sheet.
• Bake 20 min., stirring after 10 min. Spoon onto sheet of waxed paper; cool completely. Break into clusters.

CHEWY CARAMEL POPCORN AND PRETZEL BARS

Steps:

• Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, toss together popcorn and pretzels. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup water to a boil over medium-high. Boil, undisturbed, until mixture is amber in color, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove pan from heat and slowly pour in cream (mixture will sputter). Immediately add marshmallows; stir until melted.
• Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pretzels and quickly stir with a rubber spatula to coat. Transfer mixture to dish and use a piece of plastic wrap coated with cooking spray to press evenly into dish. Sprinkle with coarse salt if desired. Let cool completely before cutting into 12 bars.

CANDY BAR POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Combine the butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and corn syrup in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook to 240 degrees F (hard ball stage), about 11 minutes. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and salt and boil 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the caramel over the popcorn in a large bowl and stir to coat evenly. Shape into 12 balls using buttered or greased hands.
• Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals until melted. Place the peanuts in a shallow dish. Dip the popcorn balls halfway into the chocolate, then dip in the crushed peanuts (or other toppings). Remove to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to harden, about 2 hours.