NutellaI discovered Nutella late in life, and life has never been the same since. The creamy hazelnut spread makes pretty much anything better -- especially popcorn. Yes, popcorn. Brilliant, no?

I would have never thought of combing the two, but the result is an amazing sweet and salty treat that will have your family screaming encore! My children especially love it as an after-school snack.

There are a variety of ways to do it, but I prefer the following recipe adapted from the fabulous Pioneer Woman.

  • 4 quarts plain popcorn (2/3 cup unpopped will get you there)
  • 6 tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spread out popcorn in a roasting pan.

On stove, combine butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, Nutella, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil and keep boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla.

Pour over popcorn to coat.

Bake for 1 hour in an oven preheated to 250 degrees, but stir it every 15 minutes.

Dump onto sheets of wax paper and allow to dry, breaking it apart as desired.


Image via inga_beretta/Flickr