Sweet Tooth Popcorn

We are big movie goers.  We see movies so much that it frustrates our friends who attempt to make plans to see a movie with us because, surprise, we have already seen everything.  The movie experience for us is not just about the movie itself, but also the ability to put ones phone away for 2 hours and relax with some popcorn.  My husband, infinitely more than me, loves his popcorn.  On our first movie date I watched in amazement and partial embarrassment as he conducted what I found to be his routine popcorn prepping.    This routine can last for a few minutes – a fine balance between salting the popcorn shaking the popcorn bag, salting at a different height and angel and shaking the bag again.    The man has it down to a science and despite my usual love of salty foods, I have found that pregnancy has left me not so much enjoying the treat I used to look forward to every Saturday matinee.    My lack of interest in salty foods has now been replaced with a temporary sweet tooth and thus the creation of this recipe.  Now only if the theatres sold this stuff.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

- 1 cup popcorn kernels

- ¼ cup butter

- ½ cup honey

- ½ cup sugar, plus 3 tablespoons extra for dusting

- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, plus 1 teaspoon extra for dusting

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 375°.

Pop the popcorn in the microwave or on the stove.  Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.

In a small saucepan over medium heat melt the butter.  Whisk in the honey, sugar and cinnamon and continue stirring until well incorporated.  Pour the mixture over the popcorn and use a rubber spatula to gently stir and coat the popcorn with the honey mixture.

Pour the contents of the bowl onto a baking sheet and use your hands to separate the popcorn and smooth into one layer. 

Bake the popcorn for 8-10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and spoon the popcorn into a paper bag.  Add the extra cinnamon and sugar to the bag.  Close the bag shut and shack the bag to ensure that each piece of popcorn is equally coated with the cinnamon and sugar.  Pour the contents of the bag onto a plate and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.