Chocolate Chipotle Bacon Popcorn Food

DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPOTLE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter and beat with the paddle attachment until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary to evenly cream it. Add the sugars, sifted cocoa powder and chipotle peppers and mix again at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add eggs, vanilla and water. Beat at medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add slightly cooled melted chocolate and mix again, scraping bowl to evenly mix everything.
• Add the flour mixture, scraping sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. When well incorporated, add the chips and mix briefly, about 5 seconds.
• Refrigerate the dough in the bowl until cool and fudge-like, but not solid, for approximately 1 hour. You can use an ice cream scoop to create large, even sized cookies. These cookie-dough balls can also be frozen at this point, and baked right from the freezer whenever the need arises.
• When ready to bake, press the tops of the cookie dough-balls into the sugar, and then top with 2 to 3 pieces of dark chocolate chips. Place onto parchment-lined baking sheets, allowing space for the cookies to spread. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven when they are still a little underdone. Slide the parchment paper with the cookies onto a cooling rack and allow to cool before removing from parchment

SPICY CHIPOTLE MIXED NUTS WITH BACON AND POPCORN

Steps:

• For the chipotle spice blend: Mix together the sugar, chipotle powder, coriander, cumin, lime zest, granulated garlic and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl and set aside.
• For the nuts: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with the oil.
• Put the egg white in a large bowl and whisk until frothy. Add the cashews, macadamia, peanuts and walnuts and toss to coat. Add the spice blend and toss to coat.
• Spread the nut mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet, then stir in the popcorn, bacon and chilies and transfer to a large bowl to serve.

BACON-WRAPPED CHOCOLATE CHIPOTLE DATES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Line cookie sheet with sides with foil; place baking rack on foil.
• In small bowl, stir together cream cheese and chili powder.
• Make cut down side of each date. Fill each with cream cheese mixture. Place chocolate sliver in cream cheese in each. Wrap each with piece of bacon. Place dates, bacon ends down, on baking rack.
• Bake 20 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE CHIPOTLE BACON POPCORN

Steps:

• NOTE: Melt chocolate in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds on HIGH. Remove chocolate, stir, repeat until chocolate melts. Or place chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Heat water over medium-high heat, stir until chocolate melts. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. In small bowl, stir together melted chocolate and spices. Pour chocolate over popcorn. Using a wooden spoon, toss to combine. Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle popcorn lightly with kosher salt. And, if using, sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top of the popcorn. Allow chocolate to set. Break popcorn into pieces, and serve. (To speed up the setting time, place the pan in the refrigerator for twenty minutes.)