Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn

For Christmas this year, I gave away all homemade gifts (I’m going to post blogs about them over the next little while).  This popcorn was really easy to make and pretty addictive.  I kind’ve had to make a second batch because I ate too much of the first one myself….

So there you have it.

Here’s what you need:

1/2 cup popcorn kernels, unpopped

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/2 cup honey

1 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup cashews

Here’s what you do:

Pop the popcorn.  How?  Put a good dollop of olive oil in a large pot and turn it on medium to high heat.  Once the oil looks really freakin’ hot, throw a single kernel of popcorn in it and see if it pops.  If it does, toss the rest of the kernels in and put a lid on the pot (if not, keep heating the oil).  Let it do its thing and once you hear the popping slow down, give the pot a little shake to pop any leftover kernels.  Voila.

Spread the popcorn out on parchment-covered baking sheets.

In a pot, combine the corn syrup, honey and sugar.  Bring to a boil.  Boil for one minute and then remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter until it’s melted.  Then add in the vanilla.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the popcorn.

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips.  Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn.

Now sprinkle the cashews over the still-warm chocolate.

Nothing to it, right?