Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn {Poppy Chow}
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Have you figured out yet that I have a serious weakness when it comes to the combination of peanut butter and chocolate? And that weakness is completely magnified when it also includes a sweet/salty component. So enter yet another irresistible and totally addicting chocolate and peanut butter snack. Popcorn? Yum. Chocolate? Yes, please. Peanut butter? Oh heck yes. And some extra sugar for good measure? Lay it on me. Who wants to help me eat some of this? Because I cannot be trusted alone with an entire batch of this. Absolutely, totally dangerous. Not that I’m necessarily complaining, of course.
We talked about Easter candy the other day when I shared my malted Whopper cookies. Well, one Easter about 8 or 10 years ago, my mom gave me a basket with some of my favorite chocolates (peanut butter eggs and meltaways, naturally). But there was something new in there. There was a package of chocolate-covered popcorn from a local candy company. I was intrigued. I had never had it before, and to be honest, wasn’t sure how I would like it (I know, crazy, right?). Then I tried it. And the rest is pretty much history. I thought it was one of the most genius and delicious things I had ever eaten.
I had been hearing about “puppy chow” for years, but somehow never got around to trying it. It’s this exact recipe, but instead of popcorn you coat Crispix cereal in the chocolate/peanut butter/powdered sugar mixture. Then I saw this “poppy” chow pop up a few months ago, and my ears perked up. I had been wanting to recreate the chocolate-covered popcorn for some time, so throw some peanut butter in the mix and it takes me virtually no time at all to make the recipe. And fall in love. And beg others to eat some so I don’t demolish the entire bowl myself. Who wants to share?
One year ago: Espresso Ice Cream
Two years ago: Italian Walnut Pillow Cookies
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn {Poppy Chow}
Yield: About 8 to 10 servings (possibly more if you're not chocolate/pb obsessed like me)
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
9 cups plain popcorn
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups powdered sugarDirections:
1. Put the popcorn in a very large bowl.
2. In a microwave (at 50% power) or over a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
3. Pour the chocolate mixture all over the popcorn. Using a large spoon, stir until all of the popcorn is evenly coated with the chocolate/peanut butter mixture.
4. Sift the powdered sugar over the chocolate-covered popcorn and stir until each piece is evenly coated. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
5. Break it up and serve! Store leftovers in an airtight container.
(Recipe adapted from Tasty Kitchen, originally seen on Two Peas and Their Pod)
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Oh. My. Gosh. Puppy chow made with popcorn?!?! I cannot wait to try this!!
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What an interesting twist, I’ve only had puppy chow with cereal!
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I def have a weakness for chocolate and peanut butter too! But it’s so amazing and this poppy chow recipe looks so simple, but delicious. Thanks for sharing!
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I’ve only had puppy chow made with chex mix, but I think I’d love it even more with popcorn. I am totally with you on the peanut butter/chocolate weakness!
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Oh dear, this is going to be bad. We’re obviously going to have to make this and then we will undoubtedly finish the entire thing off in one sitting because it just looks too amazing not to. Chocolate + peanut butter + popcorn? Lost cause.
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I’ve always wanted to try the popcorn version. I make the Crispix version, and want to test which one is better! Thanks for the recipe
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I’m a sucker for anything pb and choc, too! Like this!
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I have made puppy chow with Chex so many times! In college it was the snack of choice for my roommates and me. We never tried it with popcorn though. I imagine it’s incredible!
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Do you think it would work with crunchy peanut butter? It looks SO divine!
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Michelle on February 24th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Yes! In fact, I shared some of this with my mom and said it was fabulous but wondered if I could throw in some peanuts too
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This is what I’ve been waiting for! I love the popcorn covered in almond bark, and I love pb & chocolate. I hate Crispix or Chex. Yum, yum, yum. I can’t wait to try this.
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Oh, this looks amazing!
)
Serves 8-10? More likely serves 1-2 in my opinion
But they look so fine…
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This is so wrong and so right at the same time! I wonder how it would work with fresh caramel corn – not that I am one to gild the lily!
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Wow! I used to eat the chex kind at camp all the time when I was little. But on popcorn?! Oh deliciousness! I need to make this!
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Holy Moley!! This is fantastic!! Drooling everywhere…
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this is amazing. I am MAKING this for my dad’s Oscar party on sunday.
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OMG!! Popcorn and puppy chow- why have I never tried this before! Genuis! i think i am making it tonight (and trying smores whoopie pies this weekend!!) Your blog rocks (:
http://www.elliecartebaking.blogspot.com
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AMAZING. what a cute name for this! my friend and i used to make puppy chow and sneak it into movie theaters (shh don’t tell)…poppy chow will fulfill that role perfectly!
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Step #5 must be a typo. Leftovers? In what universe?
Must. Have this. Now.
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If you like chocolate covered popcorn you need to try black and white kettle corn… it’s in the snack aisle at most grocery stores and it big bags at Sam’s club. It is totally addictive! Then you can post us a recipe for that…
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Do you air pop your popcorn or pop it on the stove? Also, ever tried it with a sprinkle of salt or does the pb provide enough salt to get that good sweet/salty mix?
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Michelle on February 24th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Hi Melissa, I pop it on the stove (I don’t have an air popper), but I don’t add any extra salt.
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ooooooh!!! I make popcorn with white and dark chocolate but have never added peanut butter!! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! – Katrina
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This looks soooo good! Definitely going to be making this one… But, I need to make sure I have some friends lined up to help me eat it, otherwise I’ll probably devour the entire batch.
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Normally, I’m not a fan of popcorn (it’s like eating buttered sawdust) But…. using it as a vehicle for chocolate and peanut butter… I think I could eat that whole bowl
Thanks for sharing
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Wow I love this idea! I actually have a popcorn machine and my husband and I make it all the time. I will need to try out this version!
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Oh how I love combining chocolate and popcorn. Though, I have to admit my favorite guilty chocolate/popcorn combination uses microwaved popcorn and a Hershey bar. Adding peanut butter to the party seems like it would take the creation to a whole new level. Thanks for sharing!
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Poppy chow, puppy chow, tomayto, tomahto. It’s all delicious sounding to me!
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Oh what a perfect combo. I’ve been buying the cocoa kettle popcorn, but think I prefer this with peanut butter too!
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Wow! Before I found your site, I didn’t think there was someone out there that loved peanut butter and chocolate as much as I do. But lucky for me there is because now I have all your recipes to try out. This looks amazing!
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YUM! I’ve never tried this with popcorn but I obviously love the original with cereal. Fantastic idea.
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Any idea how long this would keep if I wanted to make it ahead of time for a party?
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Michelle on February 24th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Hi Laura, I’d say up to 5 days or so; I’d just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. My leftovers are in there now
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Oh my goodness that looks amazing. My mama has a popcorn addiction and would just LOVE this!
Thanks for the recipe.
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Snack food at it’s best!
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This looks delicious. Yum, I’m going to try this and can’t wait to eat it
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I could not be trusted around a bowl of this. Hmmm – this chow looks sinfully delicious.
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This stuff could be the undoing of my diet- it looks seriously addictive!
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YUM. That’s all. Just plain yum. I need to buy popcorn.
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This sounds amazing! I’ve had chocolate covered popcorn but adding peanut butter really puts it over the top!
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hmmmm… it’s like popcorn and reese’s put together! I will try this with a little hot sauce. Weird but chocolate and hot sauce is amazingly good
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oy, apparently you CAN improve upon puppy chow! craving, now.
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This reminds me of some popcorn we got for Christmas 2 years ago, except it was made with white chocolate and peanut butter. Now my hubby doesn’t like popcorn, but he LOVED that one! I may have to give this a try and surprise him!
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Leftovers ?? There’s never going to be leftovers of this.. delicious!
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I’ve never made something like this but you reminded me that we received three bags of similar products for Christmas I should check out more.
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I have the same weakness!!! So this would certainly fit the bill!
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Oh, my gracious! I WILL be making this. I LOOOOVE puppy chow with the cereal so I can’t imagine how it will be with another love, popcorn. Thanks for sharing!
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This is a great twist to a classic. Yum.
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Wish I had this for superbowl
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Oh my… peanut butter chocolate popcorn…
Where have you been all of my life?!
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YUM! I heart popcorn, puppy chow, pb and chocolate, so this sounds just about right!
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Made this for movie night tonight! My boyfriend LOVED it, but I was missing the crunch I get with the chex version. I liked your idea of throwing some peanuts in, think I will try that next time! Thanks for posting this, brought back lots of good memories! I used to BEG my mom to make this for me growing up, haven’t had it in years!
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I’ll be looking for any excuse to watch a movie now that I now about this decadent snack.
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Yum, what a fun treat!
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Found your recipe for “Poppy” chow through links Pinterest. Made it for my work pals and it almost didn’t make it there. Sooo good! Had to check out the rest of your blog too. Also from the Burgh, Go Steelers! You know have a new follower.
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Michelle on September 26th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Hi Glenda, Welcome to the blog! Great to “meet” another Pittsburgher!
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I just made this with my son. It is in the fridge as we speak and all I can say is, YUMM!!!!!!!!!
If it tastes half as good set up as it does after it is first mixed, then we are in trouble. My doctor would def not approve, sshhhh don’t tell him. LOL
Great idea. Thanks so much for the recipe, this is def a new favorite.
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I had never heard of making puppy chow with popcorn before, so I had to try this. After tasting this chocolatey peanut butter popcorn concoction, I have to say I like the cereal version better because of the satisfying crunch. However, this was still really good and it satisfied my chocolate craving. For popcorn, I think I’ll stick to my marshmallows. Thanks for sharing. Always nice to try something new.
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Popcorn, chocolate, peanut butter…goodness! Yes, please. Do you know about what amount of unpopped kernels I should start with to get 9 cups popped? Thanks!
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Michelle on May 27th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Hi Abby, Unfortunately, I don’t.
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