Chocolate Stout Caramel Corn Food

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.,

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Place 1 bag popcorn in the microwave; cook on high until popping begins to slow down, about 2 1/2 minutes. Repeat with remaining bags. Open bags carefully; divide popcorn between 2 shallow baking dishes. Mix in peanuts.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Combine brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring enough to blend. Simmer, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; mix in vanilla extract and baking soda until mixture is light and foamy.
• Pour brown sugar mixture over the popcorn-peanut mixture; stir to coat.
• Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 25 minutes, until a cooled piece of popcorn is crunchy, about 1 hour.
• Line a flat work surface with waxed paper. Pour popcorn onto the waxed paper. Break up any large clusters.
• Melt chocolate almond bark in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes. Pour into a resealable plastic bag; snip off 1 corner. Drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn. Let popcorn cool completely.

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.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200°F. Remove any unpopped kernels from popcorn. In very large roasting pan or very large bowl, place popcorn and nuts, or divide popcorn and nuts between 2 ungreased 13x9-inch pans.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking 5 minutes without stirring; remove from heat. Stir in baking soda until foamy.
• Pour sugar mixture over popcorn mixture; toss until evenly coated. If using bowl, transfer mixture to 2 ungreased 13x9-inch pans. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on foil or cooking parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, place 3 cups popcorn mixture. In 1-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly. Drizzle chocolate evenly over 3 cups popcorn mixture; toss gently to thoroughly coat popcorn. Spread in single layer on foil or cooking parchment paper. Cool about 2 hours or until chocolate is firm. Add chocolate-covered popcorn mixture to remaining popcorn mixture; toss gently to combine. Store tightly covered.

WARM CHOCOLATE STOUT CAKES WITH WHISKEY CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the whiskey caramel sauce: Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan but not stirring, until the mixture is dark amber, 7 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla and salt until smooth. Whisk in the whiskey. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely (the caramel will thicken as it cools).
• For the chocolate stout cakes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until dissolved and the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and whisk in the stout beer. Set aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spray a 12-cup muffin tin generously with nonstick canola oil spray and wipe out any oil that pools at the bottom of the cups. Dust the muffin cups with cocoa powder and tap out the excess.
• Whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Whisk the egg, Greek yogurt and vanilla extract in large bowl.
• Whisk half of the stout beer mixture into the egg mixture and blend until combined. Whisk in the remaining half of the stout beer mixture and blend until smooth. Add the flour mixture and blend until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin. Bake the cakes, rotating the muffin tin halfway through, until a tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the muffin tin to a wire rack and let the cakes cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes.
• Loosen the edges of each cake with an offset spatula, then carefully remove the cakes from the muffin tin. Serve the warm cakes upside-down on individual plates drizzled with the Whiskey Caramel Sauce and sprinkled with the toffee bits.

CHOCOLATE STOUT CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Line two 15x10x1-inch pans with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, place popcorn and almonds; set aside.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat beer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 6 minutes. Pour into glass liquid measuring cup to confirm measure. Add back to saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, syrup and butter. Cook over medium heat until bubbly around edges, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; cook about 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and syrupy. Remove from heat; carefully stir in salt. Pour over popcorn mix in bowl; toss until evenly coated. Spread popcorn mixture in pans.
• Bake 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, to caramelize mixture. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Break into pieces; stir in chocolate. Store in airtight container.

CHOCOLATE CHIP, BACON AND CARAMEL CORN COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a paper-lined plate to cool, then finely chop. Set aside.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the butter together with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until it's nice and combined. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until smooth, scraping the bowl if necessary to make sure everything is incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, coffee granules, baking soda and salt. Stir together, then add it to the butter mixture in 3 increments, mixing on low after each until it's totally incorporated. Scrape the bowl and beat for a few more seconds.
• Crush 3 cups of the caramel corn in a bag with a rolling pin. Stir by hand into the dough with the chocolate chunks and chopped bacon. Crush the remaining 4 cups caramel corn and transfer to a work surface.
• Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of the cookie dough and roll into balls. Roll the balls in the crushed caramel corn, then place on the prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the cookies until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CORN

Steps:

• Grease cookie sheets.
• Place popcorn and peanuts in a paper bag. Set aside.
• In a microwave safe bowl, combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt. Microwave 4 minutes, until bubbly. Stir in baking soda. Pour over popcorn mixture and shake bag to coat.
• Roll down edges of bag and place bag in microwave. Heat for 2 minutes, shaking three times to mix. Spread mixture onto prepared sheets to cool.
• In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and shortening. Microwave 90 seconds, stirring once, until melted. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let cool before serving.

OVEN CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200°F. Divide popcorn and pecans between 2 ungreased rectangular pans, 13x9x2 inches.
• Heat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around edges. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Stir in baking soda.
• Pour mixture over popcorn and walnuts; stir until well coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250°F. Spread popcorn in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Sprinkle almonds over popcorn.
• In large saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, water, corn syrup and salt; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in baking soda until well mixed. Immediately pour mixture over popcorn and almonds; toss until coated.
• Bake at 250°F. for 15 minutes. Stir; bake an additional 15 minutes. Stir; bake 5 minutes. Immediately spread on foil or waxed paper. Cool 30 minutes before serving.

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 COVERED POPCORN (BOY SCOUTS COPYCAT) CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• Place the popped corn in the largest baking pan you have (might have to do it in 2 batches if you only have a 9x13). You need to be able to stir the popcorn!
• Melt butter in a very large saucepan (see step 6).
• Add brown sugar and corn syrup. Stirring CONSTANTLY, bring to a boil and boil 5 minute.
• Add peanuts (if desired).
• Add soda (will foam up, so be ready).
• Pour caramel over popcorn and mix well.
• Bake popcorn one hour, stirring every 10-15 minute.
• Remove from oven and cool completely. You'll have to stir it every once in a while so it doesn't stick together.
• Spray a cookie sheet with oil or cover with parchment paper.
• Melt half of chocolate per package directions (you can melt more when you need it).
• Dip popcorn pieces in chocolate and place chocolate-covered popcorn pieces individually on the cookie sheet so they can set up.
• Popcorn can be stored at room temp or in the refrigerator. Just keep cool so it doesn't melt.