This caramel corn has nothing to do with the fact that we’ve been eating kale salads left and right and calling chocolate almond milk dessert. It has nothing to do with Sugar-Free September being long gone and we’re now in beautiful, perfect October. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Chelsea and Annie spent a whole Saturday afternoon last weekend unsupervised with a month’s worth of chocolates and coconut sugar. What could go wrong there? Absolutely nothing.
But while we’re here staring at this caramel situation, let’s dive in. It’s totally that time of year when we need to be thinking about healthy Halloween alternatives, holiday gifts and treats to hide from our family members. Zebra popcorn is perfect! If you don’t know what zebra caramel popcorn is, let’s discuss. Zebra popcorn is delicious caramel corn decorated with stripes of dark and white melted chocolate. It’s intense and ultra delicious. It’s also perfect for right NOW.
The caramel coating adds the chewy, sticky texture we love for popcorn. BUT! Add the two chocolates to take this above and beyond. Healthy white chocolate is hard to come by so we made our own! Throw the ingredients in the food processor and let it whip itself into submission until you have homemade, raw white chocolate. It doesn’t show up as prominently as the dark chocolate, but trust us, it’s just as flavorful. Once the caramel corn is done and the chocolates are melted, you’re ready for action. TIP: pour the melted chocolates into plastic bags and cut a small hole in the corner to pipe chocolates evenly over the caramel corn. Superb!
There are few things more satisfying than oodles of caramel and chocolate in big clusters of popcorn. It’s even more satisfying knowing that you can pronounce the ingredients. This treat is sweetened with raw honey, coconut sugar and dark chocolate. These give incredible flavor – something only created in a homemade caramel corn recipe. The key is to make a big batch because it will go quickly! It’s decadence is perfect for binge watching Pretty Little Liars or for giving and sharing with family and friends. Store in an airtight container to be ready when you are. Aren’t we glad it’s Fall!?
Zebra Caramel Corn
POPCORN: 1/2 cup Organic Corn Kernels (or about 9 cups popcorn)
CARAMEL COATING:
1/2 cup Butter
1/4 cup Raw Honey (or Agave)
1 cup Coconut Sugar
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
WHITE CHOCOLATE:
1/2 cup Unsweetened Coconut Shreds
1/2 cup Cacao Butter, melted
1 1/2 Tablespoons Vanilla Protein Powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons Liquid Stevia
DARK CHOCOLATE: 1/2 cup Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips
- Pop the corn kernels in a popcorn popper and remove any kernels that may have not popped. Place in a very large mixing bowl. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheeting with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan on the stove, melt the butter. Add the honey and coconut sugar. Bring to a boil and stir constantly for about 5 minutes until the caramel thickens and darkens in color. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and gently but quickly stir to coat.
- Spread popcorn out on prepared cookie sheet. Place in the oven to bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. While popcorn is baking, add the coconut shreds to a food processor and mix until completely smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Remove popcorn from oven. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle popcorn with melted chocolates and place in the fridge until set (about 20 minutes in the fridge but you can speed up this process by placing in the freezer if you’d like). Break popcorn into pieces and enjoy! Store popcorn in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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No-Bake Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bites
Peanut Butter Protein Blondies
Judi Hayes says
I’m wondering why you would use raw honey in this recipe since you are boiling it. Wouldn’t it be more economical to use a less expensive honey in that case? Just checking in case I’m missing something here.
Thank you.
Natural Sweet Recipes says
Judi, that’s a great question. We use raw honey for a couple reasons. Many honey products out there are not pure honey. When the product says raw, unfiltered, we know that that particular honey does not have high fructose corn syrup or other products added to it. Depending on where raw honey is purchased, it is sometimes less expensive/more convenient for people. We wanted to test this recipe out on raw honey so to make sure the true product would create the caramel we were hoping for. We always use raw honey because we buy in bulk from local beekeepers and have had friends gift us with raw honey, so it is easily accessible to us. If this in not the case for you, you do not have to use the raw product, but we would suggest you read the ingredients and make sure it is pure honey. Thanks for the comment!
Lynn says
Made this last night and now I’m trying to figure out how to justify it for breakfast. So good!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
This popcorn sounds AMAZING! I’ve been popcorn obsessed lately, and actually just ate some a bit ago… but THIS recipe sounds delicious!
Natural Sweet Recipes says
Popcorn is the best snack ever! Thanks for your kind comment! :)
KT says
This looks perfect for holiday gifts!! Can’t wait to try.