paranormal peanut butter popcorn mix

Oct 30

Oct 30 paranormal peanut butter popcorn mix

Tomorrow is Halloween. Hurray, even though it's on a Monday! But for anyone who knows me realizes that this is zero problem for me whatsoever. I don't go out on weekdays. Especially Mondays. Ugh.

However, my work counterparts and I are dressing up tomorrow (stay tuned on the WBW Instagram) and bringing treats to work. I opted to make something simple but festive. And considering everyone loves peanut butter, popcorn, and chocolate, this seemed like a perfect fit.

prep time: 30 | cook time: 5-10 minutes

experience level: easy | specialty: vegetarian, dessert

12 cups air-popped or lightly salted microwave popcorn (1 full sized bag will do ya)
3 cups pretzel mini-twists or sticks
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup Reese's Pieces
1 cup candy corn
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter (I used Simply JIF)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

In two large bowls, evenly divide the popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, Reese's Pieces, and candy corn. You definitely want to dirty two bowls, unless you just happen to have a gigantic bowl the size of a witch's cauldron to stir this stuff in.

Next, combine the peanut butter, honey, sugar, and butter in a sauce pan. Over medium heat, stir until combined and bring to a low simmer. This stuff is like molted lava/Louisiana roux and will burn your fingers off. Still, be sure to stir it carefully every few minutes. Otherwise, it sticks like mad. And no one wants to clean up cooked honey. Promise (ask me how I know).

When the PB mix is ready, drizzle it evenly over the two bowls of popcorn mix, stirring carefully to combine. Line two cookies sheets with parchment paper (not wax). Pour the popcorn gooeyness on the cookie sheets and allow to cool.

After the popcorn mix has cooled, heat the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 20 second increments, until melted. Drizzle over the peanut buttery popcorn on the cookie sheets. Place the sheets in the fridge for 30 minutes to set the chocolate.

Break the popcorn pieces apart and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

*keep in mind: this is NOT caramel corn. It's a sticky (but delicious) damn mess. Serve with lots of napkins.