Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

That's right Poppy Chow. No I didn't misspell "Puppy Chow"-the sweet treat you might be familiar with  using rice Chex. This recipe is even better than that one, in my opinion, because you use popcorn=Pop-py Chow!
 And it is an easy, delicious snack to make and place in a pretty tin as a Christmas gift  or whip up for those hungry house guests.

About a month ago I shared an amazing cookie recipe from a great blog called Brown Eyed Baker. This recipe is also hers. She uses my favorite combination of peanut butter and chocolate to make amazing things. It is a dangerous site! Here are the easy steps to follow:

pop a large amount of popcorn-I used a tall stockpot.

{Peanut Butter Chocolate Popcorn} 

Yield: About 8 to 10 servings (possibly more if you’re not chocolate/pb obsessed like me)

Prep Time: 25 minutes

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 sugar

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.

originally posted by: Brown Eyed Baker

I bet there are lots of variations you could try with this recipe (think melted M & M's, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups....mmmm...)  .

Linking up with these parties and this party.

Repurposed Tiered Treat Stand

Got any old aluminum cake pans laying around? How about old candlesticks? That's about all you'll need to make this cool vintage-ey tiered stand you can use for sweets and snacks at a party, a fruit and veggie stand in your kitchen, a caddy for craft or school materials, even a "sweet treat" stand at a wedding!

I first saw this idea on Pinterest, posted by a blog called The Crafting Chicks. Here is their version:

Source: maryjanesandgaloshes.com via Kristina on Pinterest

I couldn't wait to run to the thrift store for some pans (I already had a nice big wooden candlestick I planned on sawing in half).

Their version had three tiers with a thin candlestick, but I wanted to change it up a bit to make it my own and use the materials I had to work with. The best part about this project is that it cost me around $2 to make!

Here is what I used to make the stand:

-First, I sawed the wooden candlestick in half. 

-Then, I nailed through the top of the smaller cake pan into 

the top of one piece of the candle stick to secure them together. 

-I repeated the same process for the bottom cake pan, nailing 

through the bottom into the base of the candlestick.

-Then, I added a touch of vintage handmade lace 

I snagged at a garage sale by painting it on with Mod Podge.

My boys were ready to devour the fall treats I was bringing to them 

on my newly made tiered treat stand! 

Oops! I'm sorry for making your mouth water for caramel apples...ha ha...

These might be healthier snacks to crave!

Linking up with these parties.