Chocolate + Peanut Butter Popcorn

Oh man. With my limited-at-best self control, there are certain things I regret knowing exist. Carly Rae Jepsen's full-length album and the fact that you can melt parmesan cheese in the microwave into a giant cheese chip, for example. 

This recipe is being added to that list. I really thought this was my own brilliant idea until I did a Pinterest search and discovered its been done many times by many brilliant ladies. So much for originality, but I'm okay with being in the company of others who roll their popcorn around in melted peanut butter and chocolate.

I knew this couldn't really be BAD, but I didn't realize how dangerously, deliciously addicting it would be. Wish me luck. 

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CHOCOLATE + PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN WITH SEA SALT

This makes a LOT (about 10-12 cups, depending on how much you sneak in the process!) so make sure you have a destination for your treats or some friends on their way, or you and your self control will be left alone with a bucket of sweet and salty goodness. Best of luck to you, friends. 

5 Tb unpopped popcorn

1 Tb and 1 tsp canola oil, divided

1 C peanut butter 

1/2 C maple agave syrup* 

1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

Sea salt to taste

Pop your popcorn in 1 Tb of canola oil on the stove or in your popcorn popper. If you only have the microwave bags on hand, that'll work too! But please, someday soon, make it on the stove... you'll be a convert.

Pour the popcorn out on to a large baking sheet covered in foil. Be careful to omit any unpopped kernels!

Combine peanut butter and agave syrup in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 1 minute or until it's very liquidy and smooth.

Pour the peanut butter and syrup mixture over your popcorn then toss with a spoon to combine. You might need to use your hands to get all of the popcorn coated, but be careful, the peanut butter and syrup mixture will be very hot!

Next, melt your chocolate chips in the microwave for about a minute with 1 tsp of canola oil. The oil makes it smoother and easier to pour over the popcorn.

Now pour your chocolate mixture over the popcorn and toss it all up to combine again.

Sprinkle with sea salt to taste then set the tray aside to cool and firm up. 

*I got mine from Trader Joe's and I'm a huge fan. Honey or plain agave syrup would work just as well.