If you know me at all, you know I’m a total popcorn addict. Like for reals. A night without it feels weird. I can eat about a dozen cups’ worth and not think anything of it. I prefer stove-top to bagged, but in a pinch it will do. Don’t even talk to me about weird toppings, I want my good old-fashioned salty delight. Until.
Until Christmas rolled around, and I wanted to give my family I’ve been tutoring with for a long time a heartfelt gift. In my list of last-minute gift ideas I included peppermint popcorn, and thought that might be a great idea. But I didn’t have peppermint at the time, and y’all know I’m frugal, so I try to use what I already have.
In my cupboard, I had some dried cherries and several bits of different dark chocolate bars.
Bingo. Dark Chocolate Cherry Popcorn.
This was created on a whim, but turned out absolutely splendid! You can of course customize it with other dried fruits or types of chocolate, for example a white chocolate apricot might be tasty, or try adding in some nuts or seeds for extra crunch. It looks adorable in a clear plastic baggie with some colorful ribbon or a bow.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups popped popcorn
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 tbsp. dried cherries
- 1 oz amaretto liquor (optional)
- Sprinkle of salt and sugar
Step 1: Soak the dried cherries in the amaretto 1 hour. This softens them enough so that they aren’t hard and chewy later. If you don’t want to do this step, it is optional.
Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, add the chocolate and oil. Microwave on high in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until melted. Or use a double boiler, but do not bring to a boil.
Step 3: Pop your corn on the stove top or in an air popper if you have one.
Step 4: In a large bowl, pour your popcorn and cherries. Slowly pour in the melted chocolate, stirring with a spoon or spatula, to coat all of the popcorn. Finish with a sprinkle of salt and sugar, and you’re done!
Now your homemade snack is ready to be packed into a cute tin and given to someone you care about for Christmas, Valentine’s day, birthdays, or just because. Or you can just eat the whole thing, I won’t judge.
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