Chocolate Caramel Nut Popcorn Food

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.

ULTIMATE CARAMEL CHOCOLATE POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°. Place popcorn and nuts in a greased roasting pan; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir 5 minutes. , Remove from heat; stir in baking soda (mixture will foam). Quickly pour over popcorn and mix well., Transfer to two greased 15x10X1-in. baking pans. , Bake 1 hour or until dry, stirring every 15 minutes., In a microwave, melt each chocolate separately, adding 1 teaspoon shortening to each 1/2 cup chips; stir until smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture; let stand until set., Break into clusters. Store in an airtight container.,

CHOCOLATY CARAMEL-NUT POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Cook the popcorn according to manufacturer's directions, pour into a very large bowl, and set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, salt, and corn syrup. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Take the saucepan off of the heat, and carefully stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda.
• Pour the caramel over the popcorn and stir well. Add the chocolate chips and almonds, then stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour this mixture into two large, deep baking pans and sprinkle with the shredded coconut.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

CARAMEL NUT-CHOCOLATE POPCORN CONES

Steps:

• Tightly cover a large roasting pan that is at least 3 in. deep with two layers of heavy-duty foil. Poke 12 holes, about 2 in. apart, in the foil to hold ice cream cones; set aside., In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and cream; stir until smooth. Spoon about 2 teaspoons inside each cone, turning to coat. Dip rims of cones into chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip into bowl. Place cones in prepared pan. Let stand until chocolate is set., Meanwhile, place the popcorn, chocolate chips and pecans in a large bowl; set aside., In a microwave, melt the caramels, cream and salt on high for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until smooth. Pour over popcorn mixture and toss to coat., Using lightly greased hands, fill cones with popcorn mixture. Shape popcorn into a 2-in.-diameter ball on top of cones, pressing down until popcorn mixture is firmly attached to cones., For topping, place caramels and 1 teaspoon cream in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high at 20-second intervals until caramels are melted; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cones., Microwave chocolate chips and remaining cream until smooth. Drizzle over cones. Immediately sprinkle with pecans. Let stand until set. Place in bags and fasten with twist ties or ribbon if desired.

EASY CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Place the caramels, butter, and water in a heavy saucepan. Cook on low heat until the caramels are completely melted, stirring frequently.
• Combine the popcorn and peanuts in a large bowl. Make sure to remove all unpopped kernels. Drizzle with the caramel mixture; toss to evenly coat. Spread onto a large greased baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes, stirring after 10. Sprinkle with chocolate; toss using two spoons until well mixed. Spread onto a sheet of waxed paper; cool completely.
• Break apart until small clusters or individual pieces. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to one week.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL-NUT POPCORN

Steps:

• Spread popcorn in 2 large, deep roasting pans.
• Bring sugar, corn syrups and water to boil in 4-quart saucepan. Add butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 300 degrees F to 310 degrees F. When mixture forms hard, brittle threads, it's ready. Remove from heat. Carefully stir in salt, baking soda and vanilla extract. Because the candy is very hot, the vanilla extract will spatter and the mixture will foam. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat.
• Let cool. Store airtight.
• Up to 2 days before giving, break up large chunks, spread coated popcorn on two cookie sheets.
• Melt chocolate chips according to package directions. Drizzle over popcorn and, before chocolate hardens, sprinkle with almonds. Let stand at room temperature until chocolate hardens.
• Store airtight.