Thursday, 19 July 2012

Popcorn Rocks


Ruth from Makey-Cakey decided to host a birthday surprise ingredient swap to distract from her 30th birthday this year. The idea is simple - bloggers get randomly paired up and we each have to post an ingredient of a cakey nature, bake then blog about it. She will be doing a round up on her birthday which is on the 23rd July 2012. Happy Birthday Ruth!

I was paired with  Lou from Please Do Not Feed The Animals. We exchanged a few emails to discuss allergies etc and she very kindly sent me my ingredient promptly as I wanted to make it before I left for my holidays. I got a lovely parcel in the post which had this beautiful card and my surprise ingredient - popping corn.

I LOVE this card!! How cute is that? Thank you so much Lou!!! :)

My surprise ingredient - popping corn

I've never actually popped fresh corn so I was quite excited to give it a try. I looked at a few recipes and in the end decided on a popcorn mix as it was quick and simple and I had all the ingredients to hand. It turned out to be reminiscent of Christmas as it had white chocolate, cranberry, pecans and cinnamon! I don't see why I can't celebrate Christmas in July! :) Ruth I hope you'll forgive me as this is not strictly a bake but I thought it was the best way to feature my surprise ingredient.




The first kernels popping!



 I've included a little video if you want to watch the corn popping process - I felt like a little kid, I was mesmerized!!

Freshly popped corn - smells amazing!

Add in nuts and dried cranberries

And a sprinkling of cinnamon

Melt some white chocolate with a few mini marshmallows thrown in for extra "stickiness"

Leave to set in a muffin tray
'Christmassy' Popcorn Rocks!

I bought this ribbon which says "With Love" from Hobbycraft.
Happy Birthday Ruth! 
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37 comments:

  1. good times tora19 July 2012 at 22:20

    that does sound yummy, although I can't help but think I might prefer them without the popcorn!! I guess that defeats the point. what did they taste like?

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    1. Baking Addict19 July 2012 at 23:37

      They were really tasty and more-ish - you just can't stop eating them!

      Delete
  2. Javelin Warrior19 July 2012 at 22:25

    There's so much about this post I love, Ros! First, what an awesome concept by Ruth to distract from her 30th - it sounds like it was a lot of fun. And isn't popping your own popcorn fun? It takes a little bit of work and time, but the flavor is so much better. I always pop mine in olive oil cause I like the flavor and then coat with a little butter and salt. And what tasty popcorn you made...love it.

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    1. Baking Addict19 July 2012 at 23:38

      Thanks JW! It's my first time popping my own corn and I wonder why I've not done it before. I agree that it tastes really good - I love the addition of the bits here :)

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  3. Gloria Baker19 July 2012 at 23:50

    OMY This look amazing love with marshmallows!! LOL

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  4. Please Do Not Feed The Animals.20 July 2012 at 00:46

    Oh wow - they do look brilliant! I eat loads of popcorn as I think it is wonderful. Rocky road with loads of popcorn in is one of my absolute favourite things. This seems like a slightly more grown up version. I will definitely be making these - can't wait!!!
    I have also just bought some Christmas granola so I am joining you I celebrating Christmas in July - yay. Actually we have the winter weather to go with it.
    Well done - brilliant post and a lovely treat.

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:45

      Thanks again for the popping corn - I really enjoyed popping my own corn for the first time. I'll have to make rock road with popcorn next time.

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  5. Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness20 July 2012 at 01:35

    Looks lovely. I love popcorn! I love everything that you added to the popcorn. It sounds like a yummy treat!!

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:45

      Thanks! This is such a versatile treat as you can add anything you like!

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  6. Daisy@Nevertoosweet20 July 2012 at 02:25

    OMG these are amazing :) I love this recipe ~ perfect gifts too! Thanks for sharing Ros! My sister is looking for recipes for her little boys birthday party I think the kiddies will love this ~

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:46

      Thanks Daisy! It's a great party gift and you can add whatever extras you like. Pretzels and candy? the sweet and salty works really well!

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  7. Unknown20 July 2012 at 03:01

    Awesome Ros! Surely this will be a super hit with kids. My daughter will absolutely love this :D

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:46

      Thanks! Everyone really enjoyed this treat :)

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  8. Unknown20 July 2012 at 08:08

    Oh I haven't popped corn for years!! I like mine with golden syrup! It is such fun and so easy to do and I love the way it seems to take a while to get going and then suddenly the popping starts!

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:47

      Oooh golden syrup - why didn't I think of that?! I'm popping my own corn from now just because it's such fun to watch!

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  9. Mrs Gillard20 July 2012 at 09:17

    NOM NOM NOM!!!

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  10. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella20 July 2012 at 12:02

    Yum! All of those extras really make the popcorn that much better! And I usually pop it in a paper bag in the microwave-I haven't bought microwave popcorn bags since :)

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  11. LoLy20 July 2012 at 13:39

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
    Oh God, That looks SO good :D
    Have a wonderful Friday...

    xx
    http://abudhabifood.blogspot.com

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  12. Cupcake Crazy Gem20 July 2012 at 18:36

    Hmmm yum, you can't beat a bit of gourmet popcorn! What a fun idea! and you're right that card is amazing! plus your hobbycraft ribbon is super cute!

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:51

      I really love the card!! Hobbycraft has some really nice stuff :)

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  13. ~~louise~~21 July 2012 at 02:52

    Way cool, Ros! I can't remember off hand when Popcorn Month is but I better save this link for when it does!!! The card and the ribbon are just perfect!

    Thank you so much for sharing...

    P.S. Now I'm in the mood for smelling fresh popped popcorn!

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:52

      I knew I could count on you to tell me about things like Popcorn Month. I should not be surprised that it exists!

      Delete
  14. Unknown21 July 2012 at 14:15

    I've also never popped my my own popcorn so should really give it a go. I want some chocolatey cinnamon popcorn now!

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:52

      It's really good fun - try it, I promise you won't regret it. The smell of freshly popped corn is amazing!

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  15. Charles22 July 2012 at 01:11

    Love popcorn so much - great snack on its own, although I never tried making "popcorn rocks" before - what a cute idea :D By the way, if you want to see something really cool, go and search for a slow-motion video of a popcorn kernel popping on YouTube... that is really fun! :D

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:53

      Thanks Charles... heading over to you tube :)

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  16. Anonymous22 July 2012 at 01:57

    I just bought some popcorn cheese which I am looking forward to trying. Yours is so pretty!

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  17. Jacqueline Meldrum22 July 2012 at 09:44

    I love watching popcorn pop up. My mum bought Graham a popcorn maker and it lay there unused for years, but it is actually great, watching it all shoot out, even more exciting that a pan.

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:54

      I still can't believe I've never popped my own corn before this - it's so much fun! A popcorn machine sounds fun too!

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  18. The Caked Crusader22 July 2012 at 17:35

    Love the card, and love the popcorn. It's always exciting to make popcorn - I never expect it to work and am always thrilled when it does!

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:55

      Thanks! I'm so pleased I participated in this surprise swap :)

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  19. Ruth Ellis23 July 2012 at 21:05

    Fantastic - especially loved the video. Reminds me of how much fun popcorn is - I must make some soon! I've just posted the roundup - thanks so much for taking part Rx
    http://makey-cakey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/secret-ingredient-swap-roundup.html

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    1. Baking Addict23 July 2012 at 22:56

      Thanks for hosting this ingredient swap for us - I really enjoyed taking part.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous24 July 2012 at 19:13

    Popular popcorn is the theme this week! I loved making popcorn so this will be on my list!

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    1. Baking Addict25 July 2012 at 00:02

      It's fun and easy to make and the variations are endless. Have fun making yours! :)

      Delete

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