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Peppermint Chocolate Popcorns Stove Top

Ditch your subpar microwave popcorns! Seriously, now. These homemade stovetop popcorns are super easy and yet so much better in every way - healthier, crunchier, fluffier, and of course, fresher! All you need is a good thick bottom pot, some oil, and corn kernels.

I know the classic movie theater butter popcorns are the king in most of North America, however, as an Asian girl, I grew up with only SWEET popcorns. There was a little popcorn vending cart outside my kindergarten and I still remember the sweet aroma of vanilla cream, caramel, and chocolate wafting from the steamy pot and beckoning my every sense. It took me quite some time to get used to the savory butter popcorns but sweet remains my favorite, not even a question.

And if you just try these dark chocolate covered decadent popcorn clusters once I'm sure you'd be hooked too! The chocolate shell makes them even crunchier and adds so much more flavor. I also added some peppermint candy cane to make it Christmasy. 

To make sure ALL your corn kernels pop and none gets burned, I have some fail-safe tips below please be sure to read carefully and follow every and each step. 

PS. I share more fun little updates on Instagram and sometimes IG exclusive recipes, find me @veganbunnychef and let's hang :)


INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup popping corn kernel

3 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2 Peppermint candy canes


TO MAKE:

- Use a good quality thick bottom pot, this is to make sure the heat is evenly distributed, pots with bottoms that are too thin can result in some corns already burned and some aren't even popped;

- Heat the olive oil in the pot over medium heat, do not turn up the heat too high, once the oil is hot, throw in 3 - 4 corn kernels, wait for them to pop;

- When the first 3 or 4 kernel testers all popped, that means the oil is heated hot enough, add in the rest of the corn , cover with lid, then remove the pot from heat for 30 seconds to bring all of the kernels to an equal temprature and close to popping;

- Return the pot back on the stovetop, now the kernels should all start popping relatively at the same time, wait till them to pop and once the pot is about half full, slightly lift the lid to let out the steam to make the popcorns crunchier;

- Remove the lid and remove pot from heat when all kernels have popped;

- Melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil, if using a hot water bath (nesting a small bowl in a big bowl of hot water), be careful not to get any water into the chocolate bowl;

- Stir the chocolate into the popcorns, mix to coat evenly and spread out in a single layer for chocolate to cool down;

- Crush and sprinkle on the peppermint candy cane, enjoy!


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