National Popcorn Day

Happy National Popcorn Day! :) I bet no one knew it was...except us. We are a popcorn loving family, of every type and variety. So last year when I discovered this day, it began a NEW tradition around here. So yesterday we began making this yummy stuff above me. Too die for! It's called Cinnamon Bun Popcorn. I'll include the receipe because I am just that nice of a person. We are having a dinner around the theme of popcorn tonight. Should be interesting....and I'm sure that kids will be starving again by 6:30! :)

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)*
1 C roughly chopped pecans
1 C brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 C Karo syrup
1 stick real butter
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 squares almond bark
*You can use air popped or microwave popcorn. About two bags.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside. And by large bowl, I mean like, twice as big as you think you really need. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a big, microwave-safe bowl. Like a 2-quart bowl or Pyrex measuring bowl. It's really important to incorporate the cinnamon into the brown sugar at this point. 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 (just to soften the butter) and stir to combine. Return to the microwave for two minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more. By this point it should be nice and bubbly. Remove from the microwave and add baking soda and vanilla. 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!