Chocolate Covered Caramel Popcorn - 2 Ways

When I was kid we used to get those giant popcorn tins every Christmas! Those are still around today, but now we also have a whole host of gourmet popcorns to choose from for holiday parties and gift giving.

Today I'm going to show you  how easy it is to make your own gourmet popcorn at home using 2 different methods!  Not only will it make a fabulous homemade gift, but it's also a lot cheaper than a lot of the gourmet gifts on the market!

Recipe for Chocolate Covered Caramel Popcorn - Method 1

Ingredients:
3 quarts lightly salted popped popcorn
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup sweet unsalted butter (USE REAL BUTTER)
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup peanuts (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 lb dipping chocolate or 1 bag of chocolate chips

(If using two kinds of chocolate like I did here, use half a pound of each, or 2 - 1/2 bags of chocolate chips.  Be sure to have extra chocolate on hand in case you need more.)

Directions: Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Place the popped corn in two 9x13 baking pans. (Must be deep enough to stir popcorn)

To make caramel, melt butter in a very large saucepan.  Add brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir CONSTANTLY to prevent sticking and scorching. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.  Add peanuts (if desired).  Add soda (will foam up, so be sure to keep stirring). 

Pour caramel over popcorn and mix well. 

Bake popcorn one hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. 

You'll have to stir it every once in a while so it doesn't stick together. Next line some cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pour popcorn out onto the cookie sheets.

Meltchocolate per package directions.  I always use the microwave, stirring every 15-20 seconds to prevent scorching.  (Again, you may want to melt more chocolate than the recipe calls for to make sure you have enough.)

Once the chocolate is melted, drizzle over the popcorn.  Store at room temperature or refrigerate. 

Recipe for Chocolate Covered Caramel Popcorn - Method 2

Ingredients:

3-4 boxes of Crunch N' Munch

1 lb dipping chocolate or 1 bag of chocolate chips 

(Again, if using two kinds of chocolate like I did here, use half a pound of each, or 2 - 1/2 bags of chocolate chips.  Be sure to have extra chocolate on hand in case you need more.)

Directions: Pour the Crunch N' Munch out on to cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. 

Melt chocolate according to package instructions.  (I use the microwave, stirring every 15-20 seconds to prevent scorching.) 

Drizzle chocolate on to popcorn.

I'm linking up at Tidy Mom and these parties.