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Wife Mama Foodie

Making Healthy Taste Good

October 29, 2015

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters

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This salted caramel and chocolate popcorn clusters are made a healthier by using maple syrup/honey and coconut oil! Top with your favorite nuts and chunks of dark chocolate!

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters | Dairy and refined sugar free
These caramel corn clusters have been a favorite in our house for the last several years. I make it a lot around the holidays for us to munch on while we’re all snuggled up on the couch watching our favorite Christmas movies. I mean, what better movie-watching snack is there besides popcorn and chocolate?! 

I love sweet and salty combos, and my usual plain popcorn and chocolate snack is made even better by the addition of a salty-sweet caramel and other yummy add-ins, like almonds, toasted coconut, and goji berries. Those are my flavors of choice, but you really can add anything you like here. Feel free to add peanuts, pecans, chocolate chips, your favorite candy, etc…there are so many choices! 

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters | Dairy and refined sugar free
It used to be that I made caramel the way most people do—with butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. I now cringe at the thought of ever using corn syrup in anything, but that was the classic recipe and that’s how I made it. Little did I know there were other ways to make this same, delicious flavor with better-for-you ingredients!

I use a combo of maple syrup and honey to make this caramel and although there is a subtle hint of each flavor, it is definitely not overwhelming and neither is the coconut oil. My daughter, who doesn’t like the flavor of honey or coconut, couldn’t even tell the difference, and you know kids..they’re brutally honest. 😉

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters | Dairy and refined sugar free
Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters | Dairy and refined sugar free
Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters | Dairy and refined sugar free
To top it all off, I use melted dark chocolate chips to drizzle over the popcorn mixture and then stick it in the fridge to cool quickly. This crunchy, sweet with a touch of salt, popcorn makes a great snack or gift to give away.

…and while you’re in the giving mood, you can send me some too! 😉

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Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters


  • Author: Joscelyn Abreu
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 8-10 cups 1x
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Description

The caramel for this popcorn is made a healthier by using maple syrup/honey and coconut oil! Top with your favorite nuts and chunks of dark chocolate!


Ingredients

Scale

Popcorn:

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • heaping 1/3 cup popcorn kernels

Caramel:

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter (dairy free butter works)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup, honey or combo of both
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Caramel & Chocolate Clusters:

  • 6–8 cups popped popcorn
  • 1/2 cup almonds, whole or sliced (or another nut of choice)
  • 1/2 cup additional toppings of choice, such as coconut chips, peanuts, or other nut/topping of choice
  • caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free if needed)
  • coarse or flaked sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

To Make Popcorn:

  1. Into a large pot or deep sided pan, heat oil with a few popcorn kernels over medium heat, covered, until you hear the kernels pop. Quickly add remaining popcorn kernels, shaking pan to coat kernels with oil. Cover pan and continue to heat over medium-low heat, shaking the pan frequently, until kernels stop popping, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour popcorn (try not to include any unpopped kernels) into a large metal or glass bowl. Add mix-ins of your choice, nuts, dried berries, toasted coconut, peanuts, etc, and set aside while you cook the caramel. Preheat your oven to 300F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick liner to have ready for the popcorn mixture later.

To Make Caramel:

  1. Into a heavy sauce pan, melt oil over medium heat. Pour in syrup or honey and stir to combine. Cook over medium-low heat (As low as possible to maintain a gentle boil. If the heat is too high it will burn) without stirring for about 5 minutes, or until mixture reaches 240F, soft stage on a candy thermometer. Watch the caramel closely because it burns very easily. Keep the heat as low as possible while maintaining a good low boil.

Putting It Together:

  1. When caramel is ready, remove from heat and stir in salt, extract, and baking soda. The baking soda will foam up making the caramel mixture very fluffy and airy. (Note: I’ve made this caramel with and without baking soda. The photo above is without. It’s typically called for and supposedly improves the texture, so included it in the recipe.) Quickly pour caramel over popcorn mixture and stir to coat evenly. Many of the mix-ins will fall to the bottom of the bowl so try to incorporate those into the caramel and popcorn. Pour mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet and place into the 300F oven to bake for 15 minutes, stirring mid-way through.
  2. Remove pan from the oven. If you want chocolate clumps, you can sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot popcorn to melt or for whole chocolate, mix it in after the popcorn has cooled. Popcorn will crisp and cluster together as it cools. You can place it in the fridge to cool more quickly. Once fully cooled, transfer to a dish and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Snack, Dessert

Did you make this recipe?

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Filed Under: All Recipes Tagged With: caramel, clusters, Coconut, Dairy Free, dark chocolate, Gluten Free, Healthy, Honey, Maple Syrup, No Refined Sugar, nuts, popcorn, Snack

Previous Post: « Easy Raw Caramel Apples
Next Post: Dairy-Free Eggnog »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michael Brogan says

    June 6, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    Pretty cool recipe

    Although I sugest adding the goji berries immediately after the trays are removed from the oven
    They burnt and runied the flavour and lost there viverant colour

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 8, 2018 at 10:44 pm

      So happy you enjoyed it, Michael! Thanks for your feedback too. I’ll be sure to make a note about the goji berries in the recipe. Have a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    November 4, 2015 at 11:46 am

    OH. MY. GOSH. I am dying over these droolicious pictures, Joscelyn. Anything with chocolate and caramel is killer. Love how easy and delish they are! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Minna says

    November 1, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    I want these now! I think I might make some for our next date night when we are at home- maybe I’ll use some popped sorghum instead of the popped corn just because that’s what I have on hand. The caramel from the maple and honey looks so good- I’ve never thought of that before! Hope you had a nice weekend my friend 🙂

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      November 3, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      Yum! I need to try popped sorghum! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in the store, but I will need to look for it. Let me know if you get a chance to try it! I’d be interested to know how it works with the sorghum! Happy November, Minna!

      Reply
  4. Tiffany says

    November 1, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    OMGoodness Yes please! I love Caramel anything and these look delicious..I mean Caramel AND Chocolate…WIN!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      November 3, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      Me too, girl! Thanks, Tiffany!

      Reply
  5. Harriet Emily says

    October 30, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    This looks incredible! I love the combination of chocolate and caramel soooo much – such a great idea to add them to popcorn! Amazing snack recipe Joscelyn! So delicious and indulgent. I love making caramel sauce with coconut oil and maple syrup too! Yum!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      November 3, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      Thank you, Harriet! Caramel, chocolate, and popcorn were meant for each other! I also love that you can make a delicious caramel with healthier ingredients! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sowmiasgalley says

    October 30, 2015 at 8:07 am

    I am a great fan of Caramel popcorn.. I can imagine the taste of Caramel and chocolate.. So yummy

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      November 3, 2015 at 9:08 pm

      Yes, it makes for an amazing combo!

      Reply
  7. Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

    October 29, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    Thank you, Cole! The three together do make an amazing combination!

    Reply
  8. Cole says

    October 29, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    This looks soooo good! I love popcorn, caramel and chocolate, I imagine that all three combined is just amazing!

    Reply
  9. Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says

    October 29, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    I just saw them in my Instagram feed and I thought why I’ve never made popcorn clusters. I can eat them right now:)

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      October 29, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      Caramel popcorn is so addictive! It’s not too difficult to make either, plus it stays good for several days, unlike regular popcorn 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, Ilona!

      Reply
  10. Christina says

    October 29, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    This looks amazing! I’m definitely going to have to try this. I’m sure I’ll love it!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      October 29, 2015 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you, Christina! I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  11. Amisha says

    October 29, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    This is gorgeous Joscelyn! I will be making it this weekend… for my kids! they will love it ! sweet and salty popcorn!? that’s like heaven!!!! awesome pics as always my friend!!!! 😀

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      October 29, 2015 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you so much, Amisha! I agree, I love sweet and salty foods! I really hope your kids enjoyed it a much as we did! And yes, please let me know how it turns out! Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend! 😉

      Reply
      • Amisha says

        October 30, 2015 at 11:30 pm

        Omg!!!!! I made this tonight and my family is enjoying the deliciousness right now as I type this to You!! It’s turned out fantastic exactly as you described it! The time and recipe contents were on the dot! If you write a book and you need a recipe tester please count me in !!! Can I please use one of your post pics to put it on IG? I have to let social media know how good it was! I could not take a pic cause of it being so dark Thanks my friend ! Awesome ❤️

        Reply
        • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

          October 31, 2015 at 11:28 am

          Yay, I’m SO glad you and your family enjoyed it, Amisha! We made several batches this week and they’re already all gone, haha! You can definitely use any pic that you’d like! Thank you so much for your feedback and your kind words 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend, sweet friend!

          Reply
  12. Emilie Burke (@burkedoes) says

    October 29, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    This looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says

      October 29, 2015 at 10:56 pm

      Thank you, Emilie!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Raw Caramel Apples - Wife Mama Foodie says:
    October 31, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    […] Salted Caramel & Chocolate Popcorn Clusters […]

    Reply
  2. Vegan Caramel Macadamia Nut Bites - Wifemamafoodie says:
    March 15, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    […] flaked sea salt, which I use mostly for desserts, like on these Salted Mocha Cupcakes and Salted Caramel and Chocolate Popcorn Clusters. It compliments sweets, especially chocolate, very well. I sprinkled a bit on top of the candy […]

    Reply

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Hello! My name is Joscelyn and I love to share recipes that are healthy and delicious. Many of them are also free of dairy, gluten, and refined sugar! Pick out a recipe and let's get cooking! Read More…

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