For those of you who know me, you know that I am OBSESSED with popcorn. Not only because it is delicious, but also because it is the perfect study snack. The carbohydrates found in popcorn can give you a helpful burst of energy that you may need while studying for midterms. Here are four ways you can spruce up your popcorn in the microwave or oven.
Bren Did
My Mom’s Caramel Popcorn
This delicious recipe is one my mom made for bake sales, school fundraisers, and just as a fun treat when I was little and is still my favorite caramel popcorn recipe.
Ingredients
- 20 cups of popped popcorn- air popped or microwave popcorn
- 2 cups of unsalted butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of corn syrup
- 1 tsp of salt (really helps bring out the sweet flavor if the caramel)
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp of vanilla
Directions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit
- In a medium sized pot, melt butter
- Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt
- Bring to a boil while stirring constantly
- Once boiling allow it to boil for 3 minutes without stirring
- Turn off heat
- Stir in baking soda and vanilla
- Pour popcorn onto a baking sheet
- Pour caramel mixture over the popcorn
- Bake for 1 hour and stir popcorn every 15 minutes
I understand that most college students don’t have access to an oven, so the next three recipes can be made in the microwave.
Erica’s Sweet Tooth
Cookies and Cream Popcorn
I came across this recipe a few years ago when I was looking to try another sweet popcorn treat.
Ingredients
- 9 cups of popped popcorn
- 20 Oreos, finely crushed
- 24 ounces of white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Melt white chocolate chips in microwave in 15 second intervals, with stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth in consistency.
- Drizzle white chocolate over popped popcorn.
- Sprinkle the Oreo crumbs over popcorn.
- Allow the chocolate to harden and dig in!
MyRecipies
Garlic-Parmesan Popcorn
This recipe is terrific if you are craving something savory.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- garlic powder to taste
- parmesan cheese to taste
- cayenne pepper to taste
- salt to taste
Popcorn kernels can be popped without an air popper by placing the 1/4 kernels in a brown lunch bag in the microwave for 2 minutes. Repeat until you have the desired amount of popcorn.
Toss ingredients with the popcorn and enjoy!
J.L. Penner
M&Ms Popcorn
This one is nice, easy, and requires minimal ingredients. It is the perfect mix of sweet and salty!
Pour a pack of M&Ms into popped popcorn and allow them to melt before eating.