By Becky Hardin
Published Feb 9, 2023
Treat the one you love this Valentine’s Day with this delicious chocolate popcorn recipe. Simple to make, this chocolate-covered popcorn is sure to win over everyone’s hearts! Bag it up and add the gift tags, and you have one easy homemade Valentine’s Day gift that will be loved!
What’s in Sweet and Salty Popcorn?
Spread the love this Valentine’s Day (or any day) with this super tasty and addictive chocolate popcorn recipe!
- Popcorn: Popcorn is a tricky ingredient to measure because it is just so light! I highly recommend using a kitchen scale if you have one available, but you’ll need just about 24 cups of popped popcorn. Look for air-popped or lightly salted popcorn, as salty or buttered popcorn will negatively affect the taste.
- Brown Sugar : Forms the base of the caramel that helps everything stick to the popcorn. I used light brown sugar, but dark brown will also work.
- Butter: Unsalted butter helps create the caramel that sticks to the popcorn. If using salted butter, omit the sea salt!
- Corn Syrup: Light corn syrup helps to create a stable caramel that won’t seize up!
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder gives this popcorn its rich, chocolatey flavor! You can use any cocoa powder you have on hand.
- Vanilla Extract : Pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate flavor of the popcorn.
- Salt: Sea salt also enhances the chocolate flavor of the popcorn, as well as the caramel.
Pro Tip: Slightly melt the butter before mixing it with the other ingredients. This will help it to combine more easily.
Variations on this Chocolate Popcorn Recipe
Holiday or rainbow sprinkles add a pop of color to this chocolate popcorn. After the popcorn is spread on the baking sheet, sprinkle up to ½ cup of sprinkles on top for a festive flair!
For even more chocolate flavor, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips (use your favorite). After the popcorn is spread on the baking sheet, drizzle the melted chocolate on top. You could use white chocolate for an extra twist.
Use air-popped or lightly salted popcorn. I don’t recommend using buttered popcorn as the coating doesn’t stick well.
Popcorn is a tough ingredient to measure in cups. This is best measured in grams using a food scale but if you don’t have a food scale, 190 grams of popped popcorn is about 24 cups.
This is a great recipe to prepare ahead of time. Store popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
I don’t recommend it – this popcorn is best enjoyed fresh at room temperature. You can refrigerate it, but it will lose its chewy texture.
How to Store Chocolate Popcorn
Store leftover chocolate popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
What to Serve with Sweet Popcorn
I love the idea of serving this popcorn as part of a Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day spread! Serve it alongside chocolate truffles , strawberry fudge , puppy chow , brownie cookies , or strawberry brownies .
For a fun twist, use this popcorn as a topping for no-bake cheesecake cups or red velvet ice cream .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 190 grams popped popcorn about 24 cups
- ▢ ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, slightly melted (1 stick)
- ▢ ¼ cup light corn syrup 78 grams
- ▢ ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 21 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ▢ Sea salt optional, to taste
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the popcorn in an extra large bowl. Set both aside. 190 grams popped popcorn
- Add the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and cocoa powder to a large microwave safe bowl. Mix well and heat on high for 3 minutes. ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. The mixture should be boiling. If not, place the bowl back in the microwave and continue to heat on high in 30-second intervals until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt (if using). 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, Sea salt
- Pour the butter/sugar mixture over the popcorn and use a rubber spatula to stir the popcorn until it is evenly coated.
- Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Let the popcorn cool at room temperature for 2 hours before serving or packaging.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- Slightly melt the butter before mixing with the other ingredients, this will help it to combine more easily.
- The mixture should be boiling when you take it out of the microwave, if it’s not, continue to heat it.
- Let cool fully, about 2 hours, before storing.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Popcorn Recipes We Love
- Cookies and Cream Popcorn
- Homemade Kettle Corn
- DIY Flavored Popcorn Salt
- Movie Night Cookies
Chocolate Popcorn Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 190 grams popped popcorn about 24 cups
- ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, slightly melted (1 stick)
- ¼ cup light corn syrup 78 grams
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 21 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- Sea salt optional, to taste
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the popcorn in an extra large bowl. Set both aside. 190 grams popped popcorn
- Add the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and cocoa powder to a large microwave safe bowl. Mix well and heat on high for 3 minutes. ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. The mixture should be boiling. If not, place the bowl back in the microwave and continue to heat on high in 30-second intervals until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt (if using). 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, Sea salt
- Pour the butter/sugar mixture over the popcorn and use a rubber spatula to stir the popcorn until it is evenly coated.
- Spread the coated popcorn in an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Let the popcorn cool at room temperature for 2 hours before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Slightly melt the butter before mixing with the other ingredients, this will help it to combine more easily.
- The mixture should be boiling when you take it out of the microwave, if it’s not, continue to heat it.
- Let cool fully, about 2 hours, before storing.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
