Perfect Pops for Every Occasion

(Family Features) No matter what kind of events you have on your social calendar, you can pop up delicious treats that are sure to be a hit.

Whether hosting a get-together for the guys and tuning into the game or having a night in with the girls, freshly popped popcorn, which is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free, can help you please every palate.

Sweet, spicy, salty or served in more non-traditional ways, the possibilities are endless, and perfect for everything from date night to a family movie night or even a sleepover or kids’ party. And since it’s healthy and whole grain, popcorn is a satisfying snack suitable for every occasion that you can feel good about serving.

Find more versatile, nutritious recipes for your next event at popcorn.org.

SOURCE:
Popcorn Board

Pop Up Sweet Treats

(Family Features) When the weather is warm and it’s time for a sweet treat, look for seasonal goodies that complement summertime fun. For example, reach for an option like whole-grain, fluffy and crisp popcorn which can be an easy, DIY snack.

Combine sweet and salty flavors to create something delicious to devour like Coconut Popcorn Crunch Pie or delightful Down Home Apple Pie Popcorn.

To better serve a crowd, try these Perfect Picnic Popcorn Squares, Popcorn S’mores or Key Lime Popcorn Clusters at your next family pool party or summertime barbecue with friends.

For more creative, DIY popcorn recipe ideas, visit popcorn.org.

Down Home Apple Pie Popcorn

Yield: 10 cups

• 3          tablespoons melted butter
• 1          teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2          tablespoons brown sugar
• 1          teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8       teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8       teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 8          cups popped popcorn
• 1          cup dried apple chips, broken into large pieces
• 1/4       cup toffee bits

 

1. Heat oven to 300° F. Whisk melted butter with vanilla. Toss brown sugar with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
2. Toss popcorn with butter mixture. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixture. Stir. Transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Sprinkle apple chips and toffee bits over top. Bake 15 minutes, or until toffee bits start to melt. Cool before serving.

Tip: Add chopped pecans for extra crunch.

Key Lime Popcorn Clusters

Yield: about 32 clusters

• 8          cups popped popcorn
• 4          whole graham crackers, finely chopped, divided
• 1          jar (7 1/2 ounces) marshmallow creme
• 1/4       cup butter or margarine
• 2          tablespoons grated lime peel
• 1          tablespoon key lime juice

1. Line 9-inch square pan with foil.
2. In large bowl, combine popcorn and all but 2 tablespoons graham cracker pieces.
3. In large glass bowl, microwave marshmallow creme and butter on high 1 minute. Stir until butter is melted. Stir in lime peel and lime juice.
4. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn, mixing thoroughly.
5. Using damp hand, firmly press mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with reserved graham cracker pieces. Refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
6. Lift foil from pan. Break popcorn mixture into clusters.

Coconut-Popcorn Crunch Pie

Yield: 12 servings

• 2          quarts popped popcorn, unsalted
• 1          can (4 ounces) flaked coconut, toasted
• 1          cup sugar
• 1          cup light corn syrup
• 1/2       cup butter or margarine
• 1/4       cup water
• 2          teaspoons salt
• 1          teaspoon vanilla
• 1          quart vanilla, spumoni or butter pecan ice cream
• fresh fruit, for topping (optional)
• chocolate sauce, for topping (optional)

1. In large, buttered bowl, mix popcorn and coconut. In saucepan, combine sugar, syrup, butter, water and salt. Bring to boil over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Continue cooking until syrup reaches hard crack stage (290-295 F).
2. Stir in vanilla. Pour syrup in fine stream over popcorn mixture; stir until particles are evenly coated with syrup.
3. On buttered, 12-inch pizza pan, spread half of popcorn mixture in thin layer, covering bottom of pan. Mark off into wedge-shaped servings; set aside. Repeat using remaining popcorn mixture; cool.
4. Cover one layer with ice cream; top with second popcorn layer. Store in freezer. To serve, cut in wedges. Serve with fruit or chocolate sauce, if desired.

Perfect Picnic Popcorn Squares

Yield: 12 squares

• 1          cup light corn syrup
• 1/2       cup sugar
• 1/2       cup brown sugar
• 1          cup reduced-fat peanut butter
• 3/4       cup raisins
• 8          cups air-popped popcorn
• nonstick cooking spray

1. In large saucepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, brown sugar and peanut butter.
2. Bring to boil over low heat, stirring constantly; boil 2-3 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat.
3. In large bowl, combine raisins and popcorn; pour hot mixture over popcorn and toss carefully with wooden spoons until well-coated.
4. Spray 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray; press popcorn mixture into pan and cool completely.
5. Cut into squares and serve.

Popcorn S’mores

Yield: 20 pieces

• 1          cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2       cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 1/2       cup corn syrup
• 1/2       teaspoon baking soda
• 10        cups freshly popped popcorn
• 1          package (10 1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 2          cups mini graham cookies
• 1          cup chocolate chips

1. In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup.
2. Cook over high heat 5 minutes; remove from heat and stir in baking soda.
3. In large bowl, combine popcorn and marshmallows.
4. Pour sugar mixture over popcorn to coat.
5. Gently stir in graham cookies and chocolate chips.
6. Spread mixture evenly into greased 15-by-10-inch pan.
7. Let cool completely. Break into pieces.

SOURCE:
Popcorn Board

Pop-ular Summer Snacks

(Family Features) From casual gatherings with friends to outdoor athletic activities and leisurely time at home, all of the best summer pastimes have one thing in common: tasty snacks make them more enjoyable.

Light, airy and fresh popcorn is a perfect summer snack. It’s naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free – all the makings of an ideal guilt-free treat. Whether you enjoy it one delicious handful at a time, sprinkled with seasonings or as an ingredient in fun summertime recipes, popcorn offers plenty of versatility for every occasion.

You can kick up the heat with a zesty popcorn mix or take a sweeter route with a blend of toasted coconut and bananas. No summer sporting event is complete without some good old toffee-style popcorn and nuts, and even a favorite like ice cream sandwiches can only get better with the addition of sweet, crunchy popcorn and candy.

Spice Up Summer Snacks
Freshly popped popcorn is a light snack perfect for summer, and you can add just about any flavor to satisfy whatever you may be craving. Start by sampling these topping favorites then taste your way to other creative combinations.

• Garlic salt
• Parmesan cheese
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Dry taco seasoning mix
• Dry ranch-style seasoning mix
• Lemon pepper
• Italian herbs: oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme and crushed rosemary
• French herbs: marjoram, thyme, summer savory, basil, rosemary, sage and fennel
• Cinnamon
• Brown sugar
• Nutmeg

Find more popcorn recipes perfect for summer at popcorn.org.

Coconut Monkey Mix

Yield: 7 cups

• 1          cup flaked coconut (unsweetened or sweetened)
• 6          cups popped popcorn
• 1          tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
• 1          teaspoon sugar
• 1/8       teaspoon salt
• dash of nutmeg
• 1          cup dried banana chips

1. Heat oven to 325° F.
2. Spread coconut in 13-by-9-inch baking pan, breaking up any clumps as needed. Bake 10 minutes, or until edges of coconut begin to brown.
3. Spread popcorn over coconut and sprinkle with butter; toss. Sprinkle popcorn mixture with sugar, salt and nutmeg; toss.
4. Bake 5 minutes longer, remove from heat and toss with banana chips. Serve immediately or cool and store in airtight container.

Popcorn Chipwiches

Yield: 12

• 2 1/2    quarts popped popcorn
• 1 1/2    cups light brown sugar
• 3/4       cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2       cup butter
• 1          tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1          package (6 ounces) chocolate pieces
• 1/2       cup chopped walnuts
• 2          pints brick-style vanilla ice cream

1. Keep popcorn warm.
2. In 3-quart saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, vinegar and salt. Cook and stir until sugar dissolves. Continue to cook until hard ball stage (250 F on candy thermometer).
3. Pour syrup over popcorn; stir to coat. Add chocolate pieces and nuts; stir just until mixed.
4. Pour into two 13-by-9-by-2-inch pans, spreading and packing firmly. Cool.
5. In each pan, cut 12 rectangles. Cut each pint of ice cream into six slices. Sandwich each ice cream slice between two popcorn rectangles.

Ballpark Popcorn Crunch

Yield: 3 quarts

• 1/2       cup butter
• 1/2       cup brown sugar
• 3          quarts unsalted popped popcorn
• 1          cup chopped walnuts

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. In separate bowl, toss popcorn and walnuts. Add creamed mixture to popcorn and nuts. Combine until coated.
4. Spread on large baking sheet in single layer.
5. Bake 10 minutes, or until crisp.

Beach Party Popcorn

Yield: 2 1/2 quarts

• 1          teaspoon soy sauce
• 1-2       drops hot pepper sauce
• 1/3       cup melted butter
• 2          quarts popped popcorn
• 2          cups assorted seasoned snacks (crackers, pretzels, etc.)
• 1/2       package (0.56 ounces) bacon-onion dip mix

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Add soy sauce and hot pepper sauce to melted butter.
3. Put popcorn and seasoned snacks in large bowl. Pour butter mixture over popcorn and snacks; toss. Sprinkle with bacon-onion dip mix; toss again.
4. Spread mixture in 15 1/2-by-10 1/2-by-1-inch jelly roll pan and bake 8-10 minutes, stirring once.

SOURCE:
The Popcorn Board

Add Some Pop to Your Party

(Family Features) No matter the occasion, every celebration is better with snacks. Whether you’re hosting game day with the guys, catching up with girlfriends, gathering for family movie night or inviting your kids’ friends over for a grade school sleepover, you can’t go wrong with popcorn treats.

Popcorn is the perfect partner for a broad span of flavors, especially when they’re sweet or salty – or both. You can make each mouthwatering bite pop even more by adding texture with crunchy nuts or silky melted chocolate.

Even if you simply serve plain popcorn to your guests, you can feel good about serving healthy, whole grain, freshly popped popcorn, which is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free.

Find more ways to pop up more fun for your next party at popcorn.org.

SOURCE:
The Popcorn Board