Sometimes I get a recipe stuck in my head.
For example, those Tuna Cakes I posted last time? Yeah…I’ve been eating them for lunch for two weeks straight. (Part of the reason is because they’re delicious, but if I’m being honest, it’s mostly because I’ve been super busy and they’re a quick and easy meal if I make a double batch and individually freeze them.) The week before, I had this salad for lunch six days straight.
And I won’t even talk about my morning oat obsession. (Yup, each word links to a different breakfast-y dish with oats.)
If you were reading my blog about a year and a half ago (first of all, thanks for still reading!), you might remember when I made Salted Pretzel Toffee. Since then I guess I’ve had butter toffee on my mind because I’ve made a couple of different spin-offs, my favorite being this salty/sweet popcorn. Toasted almonds add nutty crunch and a pretty drizzle of dark chocolate really takes it to the next level.
If you’re looking for the ultimate movie night snack, this is it!
- 12 cups air-popped popcorn (from ½ cup popcorn kernels)
- 1 cup whole almonds, toasted
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 oz good-quality dark chocolate
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt, lightly crushed between your fingertips
- Toss together the popcorn and nuts in a large bowl and set aside. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat liner and set aside.
- Cook the butter, sugar, water, and fine salt in a medium-sized, thick-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until the temperature reaches 305F (hard crack stage), stirring occasionally. Stir in the vanilla and baking soda and pour over the popcorn/nut mixture.
- Use two heat-safe rubber spatulas to toss the popcorn around to distribute the toffee throughout, and then spread the popcorn on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle on the coarse sea salt.
- Let the popcorn cool and harden, and then break it into pieces (leaving it on the baking sheet for now).
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave or double boiler, and drizzle it on the cooled popcorn; let the chocolate harden before removing.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
September 15, 2011 at 10:29 amThat popcorn looks amazing and devilishly tempting!
Cheers,
Rosa
Erica says
September 15, 2011 at 10:46 amThis reminds me of Harry & Davids! Looks SO good. A delicious treat. I totally get hooked on recipes too…right now its pumpkin bars!
Katerina says
September 15, 2011 at 10:59 amThis is totally decadent. I wish I had a bowl full of these beauties everytime I watch a movie. I am back in blogosphere and I see big changes here. Your blog looks very elegant and beautiful Faith. Congratulations!
Krista says
September 15, 2011 at 11:25 amOh my gosh! How good would this be? I don’t think it would last long at my place at all….
Ma What's For Dinner says
September 15, 2011 at 12:49 pmThis is sooooo my idea of heaven on a plate. I’m such a sucker for the salty sweet and crunchy!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
A2Z Heallhty Vegetarian Cuisine says
September 15, 2011 at 1:29 pmThis is incredibly irresistible…
aipi says
September 15, 2011 at 2:28 pmOh my ~ that looks amazingly delicious, bet they are addictive ~ rocking recipe :)
USMasala
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
September 15, 2011 at 2:40 pmNow that’s a snack. Salty and sweet, looks amazing!
BeadedTail says
September 15, 2011 at 4:01 pmI’m not sure I needed to know how to make this! I’m afraid if I started, I’d be eating it every day for months!
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
September 15, 2011 at 4:01 pmToo me this is awesome homemade Kracker Jacks, I made a similar recipe not long ago. The touch of chocolate on top is brilliant.
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
September 15, 2011 at 5:21 pmWhat a yummy snack Faith!
Samantha Cernock says
September 15, 2011 at 5:48 pmWow, that looks amazing!!! I love toffee and chocolate popcorn.
Jay says
September 15, 2011 at 7:48 pmtruly irresistable…love ur innovative recipe collection..:)
Tasty Appetite
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
September 15, 2011 at 8:40 pmToffee, dark chocolate, and nuts…sounds really good! It will be hard to stop once I start eating this.
Veronica Miller says
September 16, 2011 at 12:13 amI’m a sucker for sweets and this is right up my alley! This is the kind of thing that I take a nibble of and then can’t stop nibbling! Looks divine!
Priti says
September 16, 2011 at 12:31 amWow this looks fab ….I love to munch on..add chocolate is cool
Krista says
September 16, 2011 at 5:18 amOh Faith, this looks amazing! You make such pretty and delicious food. :-) I’m so glad I’m settled down for a while so I can linger over your gorgeous photos and be inspired. :-)
Michele | Cooking At Home says
September 16, 2011 at 5:40 amYep, this looks about perfect!
tania@mykitchenstories says
September 16, 2011 at 8:05 amI have a teenager that would go crazy for this recipe. It looks very inviting
Stephanie says
September 16, 2011 at 8:11 amThat looks amazingly addictive! I love the combination of sweet and salty. This would make a great gift in a cellophane bag!
Julie M. says
September 16, 2011 at 9:10 amHoly heavens, that looks amazing Faith! Chocolate and caramel are one of my favorite combinations.
Andrea @What's Cooking at the Genua's? says
September 16, 2011 at 10:35 amWow, this looks incredible! I LOVE popcorn and when you add salty nuts and chocolate I’m sold! Can’t wait to give this a try! Thanks!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
September 16, 2011 at 11:13 amThere is nothing wrong with this! I would probably eat it for breakfast…and lunch…and maybe as an appetizer with dinner :)
Susan says
September 16, 2011 at 11:17 amWhat a delightful, crunchy treat. All my favorite snacks rolled into one!
Angie's Recipes says
September 16, 2011 at 11:25 amThose are deadly delicious! I would have to finish the whole bowl before I could stop!
Laz says
September 16, 2011 at 12:34 pmFaith,
You have my address. If you could please just drop these in one of those tins and ship it over.
WOW!
Erica says
September 16, 2011 at 8:11 pmWonderful treat!This will be great as an appetizer for a party!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
September 16, 2011 at 11:58 pmWant- no,need- some of this now. It would be seriously addictive, I’m sure. :)
LeQuan says
September 17, 2011 at 5:42 pmI love the combination of salty and sweet desserts. This sounds scrumptious! I could sit in front of the TV and finish these probably before my movie even started. Yummers!
Reeni says
September 17, 2011 at 6:36 pmThat looks sinfully addicting Faith! Sweet and salty treats are the best.
nancy at good food matters says
September 19, 2011 at 10:36 amI have some wonderful organic red popcorn in my pantry right now—this looks like a terrific use for it!
FOODESSA says
September 20, 2011 at 7:09 amSweet and salty is the way to go.
Mom and I go crazy obssessive on snacks like these.
I can really appreciate the fact that you omitted using corn syrup…as so many unfortunately do.
Thanks for sharing this treat Faith.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
grace says
September 22, 2011 at 2:50 amcashews would be my nut of choice for this, although let’s be honest–any nut would complement toffee and chocolate. stellar batch of the popped stuff, faith!
Sara (The Veggie Eco-Life) says
September 27, 2011 at 5:09 amOh what a bomb of (bad) goodness!
I’m a fool for popcorn… and for chocolate… and for sugary sweets.
lynn says
September 29, 2011 at 9:57 pmWell I was about to comment on your yummy looking stuffed light potatoes, then realized it’s been a while since I’ve had time to peruse my favorite blogs and ended up here, at this luscious post. Oh my goodness! I have NEVER seen such delicious looking popcorn, Faith. I have GOT to try this. Very soon :) Thank you for posting this.
Suzy says
February 24, 2012 at 9:07 pmHi Faith,
I tried making this today twice, but the toffee would crumble every time I’d add the vanilla. What am I doing wrong?
Suzy
p.s. keep up the great work!
Faith says
February 25, 2012 at 8:07 amSuzy, It’s hard to know for sure without being there with you, but I think it sounds like your sugar may have crystallized. Did you make sure to use a medium-sized, thick bottomed saucepan? Did you keep it at medium heat? Did you only stir occasionally? If you want to take extra measures against crystallization, you can use a different wooden spoon to stir the mixture once the sugar melts. Some people only stir until the sugar melts, and then after that, brush down the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush, and only swirl the pot while the toffee cooks (then use a clean wooden spoon to stir in the vanilla and baking soda). I hope this helps!
P.S. You are so sweet — thank you!