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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.
Update (April 30, 2015): I made this dish again and snapped a few pictures, so I decided to update the photos in this post.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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Hi 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!
Suzy, 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!
Well 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.
Oh what a bomb of (bad) goodness!
I’m a fool for popcorn… and for chocolate… and for sugary sweets.
cashews 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!
Sweet 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
I have some wonderful organic red popcorn in my pantry right now—this looks like a terrific use for it!
That looks sinfully addicting Faith! Sweet and salty treats are the best.
I 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!
Want- no,need- some of this now. It would be seriously addictive, I’m sure. :)
Wonderful treat!This will be great as an appetizer for a party!
Faith,
You have my address. If you could please just drop these in one of those tins and ship it over.
WOW!
Those are deadly delicious! I would have to finish the whole bowl before I could stop!
What a delightful, crunchy treat. All my favorite snacks rolled into one!
There is nothing wrong with this! I would probably eat it for breakfast…and lunch…and maybe as an appetizer with dinner :)
Wow, 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!!
Holy heavens, that looks amazing Faith! Chocolate and caramel are one of my favorite combinations.
That looks amazingly addictive! I love the combination of sweet and salty. This would make a great gift in a cellophane bag!
I have a teenager that would go crazy for this recipe. It looks very inviting
Yep, this looks about perfect!
Oh 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. :-)
Wow this looks fab ….I love to munch on..add chocolate is cool
I’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!
Toffee, dark chocolate, and nuts…sounds really good! It will be hard to stop once I start eating this.
truly irresistable…love ur innovative recipe collection..:)
Tasty Appetite
Wow, that looks amazing!!! I love toffee and chocolate popcorn.
What a yummy snack Faith!
Too me this is awesome homemade Kracker Jacks, I made a similar recipe not long ago. The touch of chocolate on top is brilliant.
I’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!
Now that’s a snack. Salty and sweet, looks amazing!
Oh my ~ that looks amazingly delicious, bet they are addictive ~ rocking recipe :)
USMasala
This is incredibly irresistible…
This 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
Oh my gosh! How good would this be? I don’t think it would last long at my place at all….
This 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!
This reminds me of Harry & Davids! Looks SO good. A delicious treat. I totally get hooked on recipes too…right now its pumpkin bars!
That popcorn looks amazing and devilishly tempting!
Cheers,
Rosa