Merry Mix

This gluten-free popcorn snack combines classic flavors of caramel, dark chocolate and salty peanuts for a decadent dessert-like treat.

Recipe by Sarah McCullen

Photographed by Joe Worthem

½ cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

¼ cup light corn syrup

¼ heaping teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

3 bags popped natural popcorn

1 cup dark chocolate chips

½ cup caramel-filled chocolate chunks

½ cup salted peanuts

Preheat oven to 300°F, and grease a large baking sheet. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, and add brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, and boil, stirring, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Place popcorn in a large bowl, and drizzle with sugar mixture, tossing to combine. Spread popcorn mixture on baking sheet, and bake

45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread popcorn on parchment paper. In a microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips until melted, stirring every 20 seconds, about 1 minute. Drizzle chocolate over popcorn, then top with caramel-filled chocolate chunks and peanuts. Let cool.