Cinnamon Bun Popcorn and a Double-Feature!

One of my {new-ish} favorite Cool-Weather Treats is Cinnamon Bun Popcorn! I made it last year for a party and everyone went crazy over it! Since then I think I've probably made it a dozen times. I've already made it twice this year! So good! The most important thing for me, however, is to be sure that there is somewhere I can bring the bulk of it...and leave it there! If it's around, I can't help myself! :-)

I've adapted this recipe a bit each time I've made it, but I'm going to give you the original by Our Best Bites because it is just awesome. I usually substitute walnuts for the pecans, just because we like them better. I also use light butter, just because. I really like using pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon during this time of the year...yum! 

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans & White Chocolate 

Recipe by Our Best Bites

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)

1 C pecan halves, roughly chopped

1 C brown sugar

3/4 t cinnamon

1/4 C karo syrup (or honey makes a good substitution)

1 stick real butter (1/2 C)

1t vanilla

1/2 t baking soda

3 squares almond bark (about 4 oz)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside. 

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a 2 liter capacity microwave safe bowl.  Mix well.  Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture.  Pour corn syrup over the top of everything.  Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine.  Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes.  Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more. 

Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda.  Stir to combine.  Mixture will foam and rise.  Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pecans and stir very well so everything is well coated.  

Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  

Remove from oven and spread out on a large piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil. 

Melt almond bark according to package instructions.  Drizzle over popcorn mixture.  When almond bark is hardened and popcorn is cool, break into chunks and enjoy!

I also want to say a quick "thank you" to all my readers! 

You guys are awesome and I cannot believe how many of you have joined me in my crafting adventures over the past few weeks. Once I reach 100 followers, I'll have my first giveaway! Let's make it happen, friends! 

OH, and I was reading some posts over at Tatertots and Jello when I noticed that I was featured...twice! How cool is that?! I had no idea and was so excited I had to call SP at work to tell him! 

You can see it here and be sure to look around, Jen's blog is fantastic!! She's so creative!! 

Thanks for the feature, Jen! 

You made my week! 

:-)