I used to take regular pilgrimages to NYC before the kids came along, and back then, there was a Popcorn, Indiana store in Times Square. I’d go there and order popcorn slathered in chocolate, have them pack it up in a big bag, and eat it on the train ride home.
Like all great stores, that one closed down, but I learned my lesson: always dress up your popcorn as much as you can. This one is covered in chocolate, mixed with Reese’s minis, and finished off with dollops of melted Reese’s chips. No trip to New York necessary for all of this madness!
Spring is such a transitional season. It’s when we feel the itch to do new things, see new places, have new experiences. It’s when we see hope that we can rejuvenate and find ways to make our lives even more meaningful. Or is that just me?
This time of year, the world looks totally different. The dark skies are light by 5:30 in the morning, the breezes are gentle, and people begin to daydream more, looking forward to beach getaways or lazy afternoons by the pool.
Maybe it’s just that I work in a school, but the focus here is definitely shifting. The same things that would have bothered me in October aren’t getting to me nearly as much right now. It’s the magic of springtime!
I wish I were as easygoing at home. It’s almost like an opposing force is at play. Yesterday, I walked by the backpack that I’d asked my daughter to put away five times. It was still in the middle of the hallway in a place seemed almost designed to make someone sprawl face-first onto the floor. Gotta be honest here: I didn’t use my patient voice this time.
But then I made it up to her by giving her some of this popcorn, and all was right with the world again. See? #goodparenting
The best part about making blinged-out popcorn is that it takes almost no time. Typically, I like to use kettle corn because it’s both sweet and salty, which gives the end result more dimension. You can use a microwaveable kettle corn, or many groceries sell really good ones as well. Popcorn, Indiana makes the BEST kettle corn. And no, they’re not sponsoring this post. I wish.
Once you have the popcorn, you mix chocolate candy melts and Reese’s minis into it, which melt ever so slightly. And don’t forget that thick ribbon of melted peanut butter chips!
Spring is here and everything is in transition. The only constant is change, but this time, the change is warmer weather and green leaves on trees. I’ll take it!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the kettle corn in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Heat the chocolate candy melts according to package directions. Once they're melted, stir the candy melts into the popcorn. Add the Reese's minis and stir again until they're well distributed. Don't overdo it, though, or the minis will melt.
- Spread the popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet to dry. Set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the peanut butter chips in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.
- Using a spoon, generously drizzle the melted peanut butter chips over the popcorn, being sure to get the drizzle in as many places as possible.
- Let the popcorn set. Break into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container.
Who loves movie night? I do!
It’s kind of amazing that after so many years and experiences, movie night still makes my heart go pitter-patter. There’s just something unquestionably fun about breaking out of the nightly bedtime routine with my kids and letting us all relax and enjoy a great movie!
On December 8th, Minions was released, and we’re celebrating with this candy-coated movie night minion popcorn! You’ll love it as much as you love those little yellow guys in goggles.
Typically, I hold my kids to a pretty tight schedule. As a teacher with 16 years of experience, I believe strongly that routines are a necessary part of raising children. They help provide structure, teach people what to expect, and instill a certain degree of both security and discipline.
But now and then, all of that can just go away. Shoo. Let’s have a good time!
If you have a Minions movie fanatic at your house, the best way to make that little person happy is to do a Target run. You can get the movie itself (the Minions Metal Pak Blu-ray/DVD Deluxe is a Target exclusive with 40 minutes of Target Exclusive content), you can buy minion books, toys and swag (my son has the PJs and he loves them), and you can also shop for movie night snacks!
This popcorn is easy, quick, and irresistible. When I served it to my kids, they swarmed around it like the cute little vultures they are. It disappeared!
All you need is microwave kettle corn, blue and yellow jelly beans, honey roasted cashews, and some yellow candy melts. Four ingredients and you’re good to go! When you serve this yellow-coated popcorn with the Minions movie, it’s bound to be a night everyone will remember. Plus, all the kids get to stay up late. They love that.
You can even make the popcorn with your kids. I’m pretty sure that they’ll snag a jelly bean or two while you’re mixing everything together, but that’s to be expected. Hey, it’s part of what makes this popcorn fantastic. Kids love eating the food they make themselves!
Now that we’re all set for movie night, it’s time for me to sit back and relax and eat popcorn with my kids while we all laugh together. The best part is, Target is offering a $5 gift card with purchase of the MetalPak edition of the Minions movie, so now I get to go and spend it on something for me. Will I go for candy or lip gloss? Decisions, decisions. But I’ll worry about that later. For now, it’s showtime. And if you have movie night snack ideas, be sure to share them in the comments below!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make the popcorn according to package directions. Pour it in a bowl. Set aside.
- Melt the yellow candy melts according to package directions. Pour them into the popcorn and mix thoroughly.
- Place a piece of parchment paper or waxed paper on the counter. Spread the coated popcorn over the surface to dry.
- When the popcorn is dry and the coating is set, place it into a bowl and toss with the honey roasted cashews and jelly beans.
- Serve and enjoy!
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You see, out here, people spend weeks or even the entire summer at the beach with family and friends. I first did that ten years ago and it was a banner time. My friend told me to consider dating the man who is now my husband. And the rest is really and truly my history!
Beach towns are incredible. And not just because of all that sand. The food! The food is amazing. Popcorn. Fudge. Fries. Ice cream. Sometimes all together!
So my first love song to the beach this week is this bark. It brings together so many of the flavors of beachy treats without any hassle or fuss. Seriously. It’s so easy, and when you’re done, I swear seagulls will be swooping down into your kitchen to steal some.
I used white chocolate, buttery popcorn, chocolate chips, Oreos, peanut butter chips, and honey roasted peanuts. And then I had no more space to sprinkle anything else.
I briefly considered throwing some salt water taffy on there, but it didn’t feel right. Go with your gut, I always say!
This is 5 minutes in the making, but you have to let the chocolate harden overnight. If you use the refrigerator, the popcorn will get stale. In other words, more time for you to spend with your feet in the sand. No problem there!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag white chocolate chips
- 1 cup buttered popcorn
- 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 4-5 Oreos, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts
Instructions:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the white chocolate until it is smooth.
Spread the white chocolate evenly over a silicone baking mat or a large rectangular piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle on the remaining ingredients quickly, pressing them firmly into the white chocolate.
Let the bark harden overnight. Using your hands, break it into uneven pieces. Store in an airtight container.
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