Circus Popcorn

Kim Bee has a segment on her blog called "fun with jars".  I thought it would be cute to use a few jam and pint jars to display some of the popcorn in!  ;-)

It is time for The Secret Recipe Club reveal today and I'm so excited to share what I made!  I received the blog Cravings of a Lunatic, authored by Kim Bee as my assignment this last month.  I did a lot of searching of recipes and after drooling over so many things I finally decided to do something fun. Making this recipe brought the kid out in both Grumpy and I and as forewarned, we found it hard to leave the popcorn alone as it was spread out on the cookie sheets drying.  Oh. So. Very. Hard.  The recipe is for Pink Popcorn.  As you will find out, I found a way to make this popcorn different flavors and colors by using just one product.  I'm psyched about it - and what great fun for your kids birthday parties or any party for that matter!

Kim Bee has a special "popcorn" tag on her blog.  Kinda tells me this girl loves her popcorn!  You will find a recipe for Turtle Popcorn, Turtle Popcorn Gone Wild, and Chocolate Cake Popcorn on her blog.  Hmm, I wonder what 's next in the line of popcorn treats for her....I wouldn't be surprised to find it would be Pistachio Popcorn!  Oh, would Grumpy ever love that one, since he shares the love of Pistachio with her!  I must declare however, that I do not understand her abhorrence of pickles!  Grumpy has been known to ask me if I want some burger to go with my pickles.  Of course not Grumpy, I want a pickle sandwich!  (rolling my eyes!).  Her dislike of pickles aside, I think that Kim Bee is one "Lunatic" that I could hang out with.  She seems pretty darn cool and I would love to be her neighbor when she's making all those yummy recipes she posts about!

Now on to how I got the flavors for my Circus Popcorn!  Have you seen the Frosting Creations in the stores?  I've seen them advertised on tv and when I was looking at the packet in the store I read on the package that it was made to use with the Duncan Hines frosting made especially for the Frosting Creations packet.  Well, I immediately said "Oh yeah Duncan Hines.  I'll show you" and I used the Frosting Creations to flavor and color my popcorn!

I bought Cotton Candy, Bubble Gum, and White Chocolate Raspberry.  I figured I would try one packet on one batch of popcorn and if it didn't work out, well then it would be my loss.  I didn't have to waste anything after all because the Frosting Creations worked fabulously in this recipe and I found a way to flavor, color, and have fun with my popcorn at the same time!

I'm pretty darn pleased that these flavors came through for the candied popcorn, I'm also pretty happy that I rebelled against what they are supposed to be used for!  It is definitely a treat and will take you back to your younger years of bubble gum chewing, fair going, cotton candy eating, and all around summer time fun!



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Circus Popcorn

by July-9-2012
Adapted from Kim Bee's Pink Popcorn
on Craving's of a Lunatic

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup fat free half and half
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet Duncan Hines Frosting Flavor Creations, any flavor
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Pop the corn in any way you prefer.  I used the air popper and measured 1/2 cup of unpopped corn for each batch.  The recipe on Cravings of a Lunatic calls for 12 cups.  If you use microwave popcorn, go with the light so you don't have so much salt and omit the salt from the syrup.  I put my popped corn in the largest tupperware bowl I had (the large Thatsabowl).  Set the popcorn aside and make your syrup.Combine half and half,sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a heavy bottom saucepan.  Bring to a slow boil over medium heat and cook until soft ball stage.  I use a candy thermometer for this however you can do the water test by drizzling some of the syrup into a small amount of cold water and if it will form a soft ball you are good to go.  I personally like the candy thermometer since its easier to get it right.Once your syrup reaches the soft ball stage, immediately remove from the heat.  Add your vanilla and the entire contents of the flavoring packet.   I then used a hand whisk to whisk the powdered flavoring in well. Pour hot syrup over popcorn and mix well.  Turn out onto large cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil and let cool until it hardens.Store in airtight container-ziploc bags work perfectly!Note:  If you find your popcorn is too sticky, it is likely you did not cook the syrup long enough.  Don't worry!  You can still save the recipe.  Just pop the cookie sheet into a 300 degree oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes stirring often.  If you see the syrup start to bubble on the popcorn when in the oven, take it out immediately otherwise it can burn.  Good luck and enjoy!Prep and cook time are approximate.  Please use candy thermometer for your syrup or have experience with gauging the soft ball stage with the water test.  Do not use the cook time listed below as a definite.

Details

Prep time: 05 minsCook time: 10 minsTotal time: 15 minsYield: 12 cups popcorn