Popcorn Flower Bouquets


WORDS:: Chyka Keebaugh

PHOTOS: Lisa Atkinson


These super cute treats are a fantastic option for a child's birthday party, or a quiet night in with a good movie.


Everyone has popcorn in the pantry right?They are a simple, easy to make a snack that is low in calories. So it goes without saying I love it! What I love most about popcorn are the ways you can jazz it up and make it into a special treat. Once you get the knack of frying up kernels without burning the bottom of the pot the world is your oyster! Get creative with different flavours and colours, and your popcorn can go from plain to sweet to savoury in five minutes if you have the right ingredients on hand.


Ingredients::

  • Two tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cups popping corn
  • 75g butter
  • 1/2 cups caster sugar
  • 1 1 /two tablespoons golden syrup
  • One teaspoon vanilla essence
  •  Two tablespoons hundreds and thousands

 

Method::

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan with a lid. Add popping corn, and cover with the lid. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until popping sounds subside. Transfer popcorn to a large heatproof bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels. Oil a large oven tray.
  2. Combine butter, sugar, golden syrup and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Stir over low heat without boiling, until sugar, has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium and bring to the boil. Cook, without stirring, for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour caramel over the popcorn and carefully stir with a spatula, turning to coat evenly. Turn out onto an oiled tray and spread out. Sprinkle with hundreds and thousands. Leave to cool and set, about 15 mins. When cold, break into chunks. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.


Creative flavours for popcorn::

  • Dust some icing sugar over your popcorn and add some cracked salt - sweet and salty!
  • Add some butter, sugar and cinnamon to coat for lovely cinnamon popcorn.
  • Mix grated parmesan and rosemary into your popcorn for a savoury treat.
  • Add some chilli and turmeric in light sprinkles to create a curry inspired popcorn.
  • Lay your cooked popcorn out on a tray, cover with melted chocolate and place in the fridge until it sets. Yum! Go the extra step and add some sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
  • Heat up some honey, sugar, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Toss cooked popcorn through the mixture (with a sprinkle of salt) and leave to cool, add some peanuts for extra crunch.
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