Funfetti Caramel Chocolate Popcorn

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you think you should join the circus?

I am not sure what talent I could add to the Ringling Bros., but I am sure I would be better at the circus than I am at motherhood some days.

I will never get used to why boys think that bodily functions and boogers are so funny.  

What is up with that?  Some days I feel like I am living with animals. 

Just when I really think I am getting somewhere with my lectures on being polite and having some sense of social graces, my husband starts laughing and then we are back to square one.  

So in honor of the circus today, I am giving you my version of a carnival style popcorn.

I made mine without any milk ingredients so my String Beane could eat it.  Tweak the ingredients any way you want to make your circus animals happy.

Ingredients

1 Bag of microwave popcorn, popped

or 4-5 cups of pop corn, popped on the stove.

1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips (I used Gharidelli since they do not contain milk)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup margarine (I used Fleishmann's unsalted- milk free)

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

A sprinkling of colored sprinkles, probably about 1/4 cup.

Directions

Pop popcorn and remove all of the unpopped kernels.  Spread the popcorn on a rimmed baking sheet.  

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the popcorn.

Place sugar, butter, corn syrup and vanilla in medium heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly with wooden spoon.  Continue cooking until the mixture reaches the hard-crack stage, stirring constantly. 

Remove from heat. 

 Add baking soda and mix well.

Immediately pour caramel mixture evenly over popped corn and candy until coated. 

 Do not stir. 

Sprinkle the popcorn with the colored sprinkles.

Let stand 30 minutes or until caramel has cooled and hardened.

Break it up into pieces and eat!

Store the leftovers in an airtight container.

Here is one more look at it

You would totally avoid the melted chocolate look if you used M&Ms.  But they contain milk so we can not use them.  I sort of like the chocolate streak look anyway.

I am linking up with Metamorphosis Monday,  Allergy Free Wednesday and these other

Awesome Parties!