Caramel Popcorn Recipe with Chocolate: A Family Movie Night Treat

Written by Piera Jolly of Jolly Mom for Personal Creations Blog.

One of our favorite ways to spend time together as a family is by cuddling up on the couch with a special treat and watching a movie. Family movie night is an oldie, but goodie, right?! It’s the perfect way to share laughter or learn something new together. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your family bond in a fun way! We always like to have a special treat during family movie nights and one of the yummiest is Caramel & Chocolate Popcorn.

It’s very simple to make and so good you kind of can’t stop eating it. It’s salty, it’s sweet, it’s crunchy – it’s everything that a movie night snack should be. You’ve been warned! Of course, a special treat deserves an equally special container. We love these Personalized Popcorn Buckets  by Personal Creations– one for each of us, of course!

Caramel Popcorn with Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 16-18 cups popped plain popcorn (no butter or seasonings; you can use microwave popcorn or pop your own)
• 1 cup roasted peanuts
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon shortening

Directions:

Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray. Pop your popcorn (I pop mine using an air popper without butter). Place popcorn and peanuts into a large brown paper bag (just grab one from the grocery store).

In a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt. Cook a few minutes until bubbly. Stir in baking soda.

Pour over popcorn mixture and shake bag to evenly coat.

Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheets and put into the refrigerator to cool for about 15 minutes.

In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and shortening. Microwave 90 seconds, stirring once about halfway, until melted. Put chocolate in a zip-top bag, close top, and snip off the corner of the bag. Drizzle chocolate over popcorn mixture. Allow to cool before serving – I like to put mine in the refrigerator for another 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden up a little.

Want even more ideas on how to make family night special? To learn how to make a concession stand, popcorn bar, host your own movie premiere and more then make sure to read How To Make Movie Night Special. Enjoy!

Piera Jolly is the founder and editor-in-chief of JollyMom.com, a savvy and popular blog that provides moms with helpful parenting information, fun child-friendly activities, craft ideas, recipes, and the latest trends for moms, kids, and families. JollyMom.com is also proud to have been named a Top 10 Inspiring Blogger by Mashable, a Power Mom by Nielsen and one of Access Communication’s Top 50 Mommy Blogs!