Hawaiian Popcorn Favours

I love simple little ways to put a smile on someones face. Often it's a pretty easy to do so when you present an edible treat; who can turn down something delicious and tasty? Not this girl. And not many people I know turn down sweets unless it's a cupcake given to my parents (they are cupcaked OUT). Since I've been dying to make this Hawaiian Popcorn Crunch, I thought I could give it a whirl then package it up in a cute little box to give to a coworker.

If you're on a time crunch you could buy your popcorn from a retailer like Kernels but making this popcorn crunch yourself is more rewarding, tasty and from the heart. It's super easy and the recipe I used from Sticky Messy Chewy Gooey is wonderfully easy and delicious. Bellies everywhere will rejoice! What a perfect favour idea, bridal shower treat and simple way to make someones lunch time a little more special.

If you love caramel corn you'll be hooked on this...the recipe also calls for dried pineapple chunks, roasted macadamia nuts, coconut and dried banana chips. And sugar. And butter. And did I mention the sugar? You will feel like a kid at a carnival when you taste this stuff.

Hawaiian Popcorn Crunch

from the Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey cook book

for the popcorn

1/2 cup dried banana chips

1 cup whole roasted macadamia nuts

1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

1/2 diced candied pineapple

16 - 18 cups of popped popcorn

for the caramel coating

2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/2 light or dark corn syrup

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F and spray two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray (I lined my sheets with parchment paper). Combine all the popcorn ingredients into a big bowl and toss to mix. After that is combined, combine the butter, sugars, corn syrup, lemon juice and salt over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir occasionally until everything is smooth and the butter is melted. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil gently until the mixture reaches the hard crack stage (300F on a candy thermometer), 6 - 9 minutes. (I just timed it out since I don't have a candy thermometer!

Remove from heat and stir in the extracts and baking soda (this mixture tastes like pure candy bliss!) Immediately pour over the popcorn mixture and stir with a large spoon making sure to coat everything as evenly as possible.

Divine popcorn among the two baking sheets and bake until the popcorn is crisp and fragrant, stirring occasionally for about 1 hour. Let cool completely before enjoying. And store in a contained sealed tightly for about one week. Like it will last that long :)

When you are ready to share with someone, you can grab a brown paper Chinese take out box, some pretty ribbon and your favourite stamp and voila! Instead cuteness. Just make sure to line your box with paper or a napkin because the popcorn can be pretty greasy and will leave stains on the paper boxes. Happy Monday everyone!