"Ready to POP" Baby Shower

Sweet Haylee insisted on throwing me a baby shower while she was in town. She said it was perfect timing that she was here when I was so pregnant...something that hasn't happened before. She and Jess put together a really cute "Ready to Pop" theme with Cake Pops, Oreo Pops, Soda Pop, Pop chips, cinnamon popcorn, chocolate peanut butter popcorn, tootsie Pops, and popcorn. A couple of my friends here helped out and Lindsay Moss hosted it at her house. I was nervous about the whole thing but it was actually a lot of fun! And such yummy food!!

  We had it in the afternoon so there were tons of kids there. I think that helped it not be an awkward shower b/c kids were running everywhere...which I like :)

 Mandi, Abby, Amanda

 Colin and Esmeralda & Damian

Lily had so much fun with all the kids!

They planned a couple cute games...

and even though I said no gifts! people brought me some really cute things!

Yummy Recipes:

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans & White Chocolate
AKA Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
Original Recipe by Our Best Bites

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)*
1 C roughly chopped pecans
1 C brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 C Karo syrup (or honey makes a good substitution)
1 stick real butter (1/2 C)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 squares almond bark

*You can use air popped or microwave popcorn. If using microwave, anything works, but I prefer a “natural” flavor that’s low in butter and salt.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a very large bowl and set aside.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a big, microwave-safe bowl. Like a 2-quart bowl or Pyrex measuring bowl. Use a bowl larger than you think you need.

Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup (or honey) over the top of everything.Microwave on high for 30 seconds (just to soften the butter a bit) and then stir to combine.Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more.

Remove from the microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda.  When combined, pour over popcorn and stir until it’s coated.  Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

After 30 minutes, take a piece out and let it cool. “Sample.” If it’s not crunchy enough, bake for another 5 minutes.  When it’s done, give it a final stir and let it cool off for a bit while you melt your almond bark (just nuke it in the microwave according to the package directions) If you want, you can spread out your caramel corn on a clean piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil. I always do this because sometimes it sticks to the hot foil if I leave it on the original pan. Use a fork and drizzle the melted almond bark over the popcorn mixture.

When it’s hardened (pop it in the fridge to speed that process along) break into chunks and enjoy!

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn

Yield: About 8 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Peanut butter popcorn with a drizzle of chocolate and Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. This sweet popcorn snack is perfect for movie night or game day.

ingredients:

8 cups plain popcorn (we use air-popped popcorn)
Fine salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, melted
1 1/2 cups Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

directions:

1. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and salt to taste. Set aside.

2. Mix the honey and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and add the peanut butter. Stir vigorously until all the peanut butter is melted, then mix in the vanilla extract.

3. Immediately pour the peanut butter caramel over the popcorn and gently stir with a long-handled wooden spoon until it's all coated. Spread popcorn on a large baking sheet. Drizzle popcorn with melted chocolate and let sit until chocolate hardens. Stir in the Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Notes:
We used air-popped popcorn, but you can use microwave popcorn or stovetop popcorn. If you can't find Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, you can chop up regular Peanut Butter Cups.