Chocolate Caramel Popcorn is the perfect snack for movies and makes a wonderful treat for school lunches!
Oh my goodness! We just got back from Lake Tahoe yesterday – our last vacation of the summer!! We had a wonderful time and the weather was just perfect. We did the Vikingsholm trail and toured the mansion too. The boys did very well considering that it’s 1 mile down and about 2.8 miles back up – at least that’s what it feels like! It’s steep!!
They had so much fun playing in the sand and water and even made some friends. It was a super relaxing weekend which was just what we needed. School starts on Wednesday and the boys are both nervous and excited. Bryce  is still not sure what this Transitional Kindergarten thing is all about but I’m hopeful that it will be an easy transition for him. He’s so used to just hanging with me that going to school Every. Single. Day is going to be a bit of a challenge.
Reece and Bryce got haircuts this morning and are looking pretty sharp if I do say so myself 🙂  All the school clothes are bought and the backpacks are ready but I’ve still got loads of laundry to do from the trip and also all of their new school uniforms need to get washed. I’m trying to really keep these last few days easy. I really want the boys to just relax these last few days of summer vacation so they feel nice and rested to start their school year off right. Transitional Kindergarten and second grade can be awfully tiring I’ve heard 🙂
With summer winding down I’m letting the boys enjoy some of their favorite things and watching movies is definitely high up there on their list.
We are definitely a popcorn family. The boys love munching on popcorn during movies and it really makes the perfect snack. It’s so easy to make and inexpensive too! Â Caramel corn is always a family favorite but when I tried out this Chocolate Caramel Popcorn – I think the boys were impressed! I’ve already had requests to make sure this yummy treat makes it into their lunch boxes for school. It really is the perfect snack for school and it makes me feel better knowing that when they open up their lunch boxes and see this yummy treat inside that it will for sure bring a smile to their faces.
How To Make Chocolate Caramel Popcorn
Chocolate Caramel Popcorn
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped popcorn
- 2 cups coarsely chopped mixed nuts optional
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate squares
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Karo® Corn Syrup
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225ºF. Spray a 15 x 10-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Combine popcorn and nuts in baking pan and place in oven to keep warm.
- Heat chocolate, brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until boiling, stirring occasionally
- Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and immediately stir in baking soda.
- Pour chocolate-caramel mixture carefully over popcorn and nuts.
- Use cooking spray-coated tongs or a spatula to toss the popcorn and chocolate-caramel mixture.
- Bake popcorn for 60 minutes stirring popcorn about halfway through.
- Let popcorn cool completely on wire rack.
- Break popcorn into bite-sized pieces and store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
 
I keep seeing so many “first day of school” pics on Facebook and I’m starting to wonder if we’re the last school to start! Have your kids started back to school yet or are you still enjoying your summer vacation?
More yummy recipes we love:
Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie Bars
Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
For all cookies recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Maggie says
While Im usually making baby food recipes, I made this tonight as a movie treat for our kiddos to enjoy. I actually doubled the popcorn so that there is not as much of the chocolate mix on popcorn. I have to try to keep it healthy right? 🙂 TY Maggie
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Love that Maggie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Abby says
This looks so delicious! I’m pinning this to try…this would be good for holiday treat bags for gifts.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Abby and yes it would be great for treat bags! So glad you stopped by!
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik says
I probably wouldn’t be able to stop eating this popcorn!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Ha! It is hard 😉
Maryann says
In the chocolate caramel popcorn – light or dark karo?
Looks so yummy!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can use either Maryann but I used light. Thanks!
Jocelyn @ BruCrew Life says
Your boys are too cute! I’m glad you had a great last vacay. This has got to be some of the best popcorn! 😉 Yum!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Lake Tahoe wa just what we needed -thanks Jocelyn!
Happy Valley Chow says
*Drool* yeahhhh I would eat that 😛
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Glad to hear that 😉 Have a great weekend!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I’ve never thought of adding chocolate to caramel corn! So good!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s really incredible Jessica – especially if you’re a chocolate lover like me =)
Jamie @lifelovelemons says
This looks good enough to eat! Yum!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hehe! Thanks Jamie!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Sounds like you had an awesome trip! And I’d definitely smile if someone packed this popcorn in my lunchbox! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We sure did Ashley! Lake Tahoe is just AMAZING 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
We are a huge popcorn family! This looks great!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Popcorn is the best! So many different ways to enjoy it. Thanks Nancy!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
RIGHT up my alley! Love popcorn and with chocolate, irresistible!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Averie! It was a big hit with the boys 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
LOVE this Trish! Your trip sounds so fun! Good luck with back to school!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Dorothy!
Emily says
Hi Trish, I found you on Pinterest and pinned the chocolate chip caramel bars. I went to your website for the first time today. I added you to bloglovin, so I can read your posts on a regular basis going forward. P.S. My boys started back to school today.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh wow! Thanks Emily! So excited to have you as a new follower 🙂 How did the first day of school go?
marcie@flavorthemoments says
I love Lake Tahoe! How fun. We go up to Truckee often…such a nice getaway. As for the popcorn, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands out of it! It looks just delicious.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
SOOO nice! I wish we went up more often. Thanks Marcie!