Red, White & Blue Kettle Corn / Moose Munch / Flavored Popcorn

I’m planning a 60th birthday party for my mom on July 2nd.

With it’s proximity to the 4th, I decided to go with a red, white & blue BBQ theme.

I had intended to make carmel corn when this idea came to me.

What if I dyed the sugar red or blue AND made kettle corn?

What if I added white chocolate?

Oh, and chocolate?

And, then drizzled white chocolate over the chocolate?

…and red & blue?

…and then mixed it all together and made this 🙂

 **Happy 4th of JULY **

Kettle Corn (directions can be found here) – Source Baking 4 Six original 🙂

1/4 cup corn kernels

2 Tbl sugar

2 Tbl canola oil

gel food color or colored sugar sprinkles (like sanding sugar or sparkling sugar)

salt to taste

I made 2 half batches of the kettle corn, but you could make it as is – you’ll probably want more anyway. Add a drop of gel food color to the sugar to change the color ; I used red and blue but this will work for an color theme. I’m thinking “pink” for a baby shower, “orange” for Halloween (more about that later). Then, mix the color & sugar until blended, then use the sugar as per the kettle corn recipe directions.

Another option is to use the colored sugar typically used for decorating cookies. This is a more expensive option, but works if you don’t have gel colors or if you have an abundance of a certain color & this gives you another use for it. (Personally, I love colored sugar sprinkles on vanilla ice cream. Well, I did once upon a time. I try to eat less sugar.)

A third option which will also add flavor is to take 5-6 pieces of hard candy and smash them or grind them up very fine; the finer the better. Think jolly ranchers, cinnamon, butterscotch, root beer barrels, lemon drops (these are smaller so use a few more). Even tho’ the candies are colored, they won’t provide enough color so if you want color, you’ll need to add a little gel color to the smashed candies. (I tested this, by making cinnamon popcorn, now I’m craving lemon popcorn.)

That’s it – so EASY!!

To make the chocolate version, I used Wilton Candy Melts. However, you can use almond bark (chocolate or vanilla). Another option is to melt chocolate & add some shortening. I typically melt in the microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. Then continue this process until I achieve the consistency I want.

Drizzle over popcorn and allow to harden. That’s it… now stuff some in your face & enjoy.

btw, I linked up this post to the following:

The Frugal Girls – “Chic & Crafty Party”  &  Tidy Mom’s “I’m Loving It” Fridays