I know you’re thinking it’s weird to put popcorn on top of a cookie bar.
Sometimes you have to trust me, which I know it totally a sketchy thing to do…trust some random lady on the internet who is trying to fill you full of calories and nonsense.
But stick with me just a second.
I know the internet can fill your brain up with ideas you really want to be true, but aren’t. I mean, I want to live in a world where dogs dance salsa…
Anyhow.
These bars are no eagle swooping down and snatching a baby. They are the reallll deallll.
Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars.
There are a few steps to these, yes, but it’s worth it..and trust me, nothing is complicated.
I decided to make these bars while I was taking part in a fun webinar a few weeks ago hosted by Land O’Lakes® and The Pioneer Woman. The talk of the day was about new food trends coming up in 2013, as well as the new Land O’Lakes® Butter in Half Sticks, which solves a world of problems for those of you who don’t use butter by the poundful 🙂
Anyhow, the webinar also included some fun panelists…girls I totally adore…Julie from The Little Kitchen, Sommer from A Spicy Perspective, Maria from Two Peas and Their Pod and Brenda from A Farmgirls Dabbles.
The panelists, along with Ree, each introduced a food trend for 2013. And well, since Maria and I are long lost soul mates, she chose popcorn. She speaks to my soul.
I decided to jump on the popcorn bandwagon and spin it in a different direction. That’s how these bars came to life.
And since good things start with a chocolate chip cookie base, that’s where we’ll begin…
Whip up some cookie dough and bake it for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile grab a bag of popcorn, or pop your own.
I opted for my new addiction, this Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn from a brand called Angie’s. I am literally obsessed with this stuff. Ob. Sessed.
Next up, melt some butter, peanut butter and corn syrup together and coat a few cups of popcorn. Set that aside.
When the cookie is done, take it out and sprinkle it with mini marshmallows. Pop that back in the oven for just a few minutes until the marshmallows puff up.
Then immediately spread the coated popcorn evenly all over the warm marshmallows, pressing them lightly to stick.
I drizzled some melted chocolate all over that and let it cool completely. It actually took a few hours to cool down until I could cut it.
Then dive in. Mouth first.
PrintChocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars
Description
makes 36 bars
Ingredients
Cookie base
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Filling
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
Popcorn topping
- 4 cups popped popcorn, or kettle corn
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2/3 cup corn syrup
- 1 1/4 cups peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray
Cookie base
- Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes
- Turn mixer to low and add in eggs and vanilla. Turn mixer back up to medium until evenly incorporated.
- Turn mixer back down to low and add in baking soda, salt and flour. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes or until edges are golden.
Popcorn Topping
- While cookie is baking, mix corn syrup, butter and peanut butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and mixture is heated through. Remove from heat and stir in popcorn, coating it completely and evenly. Set aside.
FIlling
- When cookie is done baking, remove from oven and immediately sprinkle marshmallows evenly on top. Place back in oven for 2-3 minutes until marshmallows are puffed, but not browned.
- Remove from oven and immediately spread the popcorn mixture on top of the marshmallows, pressing gently so the popcorn sticks into the marshmallows.
- In a microwave safe bowl, or zip-top bag, melt your remaining chocolate chips and drizzle over top.
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
These look absolutely amazing. Caramel corn and marshmallow? WInning!!
Their look is so tasty. Thanks for your recipe. I like to try this at next weekend. I think my husband be an interest for this food.
I’m totally with you on putting popcorn on top of bars. I’m all for popcorn everywhere!
Wow there’s like 3 desserts rolled into one – cookie bars, marshmallow fluffy action, and the caramel corn + chocolate! Everyone’s happy with this one! 🙂
I honestly haven’t seen something THAT good in a long time! I can’t wait to try this.
This reminds me of the zebra popcorn samples from Costco–I may or may not have gone back (not quite incognito) 10 times for more. I will go out and purchase a bag of popcorn so I can make this! Thanks Dorothy!
Oh gosh, I don’t even know what I was thinking! I must’ve had my Crazy for Crust tab open when I typed this 🙂 sorry Shelly!
no problem, I was like huh? when I read it!
These are insane. Absolutely insane. I love caramel corn and can only imagine how awesome it is with all the other layers.
Whoa these look beyond amazing! Popcorn, marshmallows and cookies?! Pure heaven.
I must try these…..thank you so much!
I mean- this looks insanely good. I think popcorn and cookie bars together make perfect sense!!