Chocolate Popcorn Delight
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Indulge in a fun and easy treat with this Chocolate Popcorn Delight, a recipe sourced from the renowned Food Network and brought to you courtesy of the beloved Paula Deen. Perfect for an afternoon snack or a sweet touch to a kid-friendly lunch, this chocolatey popcorn is not only delightful but also a breeze to make. With its minimal ingredients and quick preparation, it’s a perfect choice for those busy days when you crave something delicious but need to keep it simple.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 cups popped popcorn
Instructions
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Combine Ingredients: In a 4-quart pot, place the sugar, light corn syrup, margarine, cocoa powder, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a rolling boil. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
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Coat Popcorn: Carefully pour the hot mixture over the popped popcorn. Stir the popcorn gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the luscious chocolate mixture.
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Cook and Stir: Continue to cook and stir the popcorn mixture over medium heat for about 2 minutes. The goal is to let the chocolate mixture set slightly on the popcorn without overcooking.
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Shape and Cool: Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes. Once it’s cool enough to handle, shape the chocolate-coated popcorn into 3-inch balls. Allow them to cool completely before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 219.2
- Total Fat: 7.8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 300.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 39.6g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 24.3g
- Protein: 0.4g
Notes:
- This recipe yields a batch of delicious, chocolatey popcorn balls. If you find the mixture too sticky, you can lightly grease your hands or use a spoon to shape the popcorn.
- For a fun variation, consider adding some mini marshmallows or crushed nuts into the popcorn mixture before shaping it into balls.
- These chocolate popcorn balls are great for packing in lunchboxes, serving at parties, or simply enjoying as a quick snack.
Enjoy this sweet and crispy treat that’s sure to bring a smile to the faces of both kids and adults alike!
