Baked Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

This is one of those recipes you should probably just never make.

Because once you do, it'll be something you crave on the regular.  It hits the big 4: it's easy, it's fast, it's made with stuff you most likely already have on hand, and it's delicious.  And this is coming from someone who is generally not a big popcorn person.  On the rare occasion we go to the movies, I'd rather get something sweet (who's shocked?) than the neon yellow-coated stuff in a jumbo bucket.  But this is a fun treat you can make at home that satisfies both your sweet tooth and your snack craving, and it is definitely decadent enough to double as dessert.  All you need is popcorn, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

You combine everything but the popcorn in a small saucepan over low heat.  This is the part where you stop and send me a thank-you e-mail because your house smells like all things heavenly.  Pour the
cinnamon mixture over the popped popcorn, toss to coat, bake, and you're done {full recipe below}.

We have been making this in my family since I was a kid.  What separates it from other Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn recipes on the web is the last step: when you bake it, the cinnamon mixture hardens up a bit to become a sort of glorious, addictive coating that doesn't get your hands as greasy while you snack.  This popcorn is perfect for a movie night at home or March Madness gathering, but it also makes a great all-purpose gift.  How cute does it look all prettied up in these jars?  Enjoy!

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn:

Serves 6-8

 

6 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (or regular salt)

10 cups popped popcorn*

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is well combined.

 

In a large bowl, pour the cinnamon mixture over the popped popcorn and toss well to evenly coat.  Place popcorn on two cookie sheets covered with aluminum foil or a Silpat.  Bake for 15 minutes until the cinnamon mixture is crisp.  Take a few deep inhalations and enjoy how amazing your house smells.  Let popcorn cool, and store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container. 

 

*You can substitute 2 bags of microwave, natural flavor popcorn if you don't have a popcorn machine or air popper.