It’s National Popcorn Day!

January 19 is National Popcorn Day, a day to honor one of America’s oldest and most beloved snack foods (not that anyone really needs an excuse to celebrate popcorn).

Whether you pop up a bowl to binge watch your latest obsession or spend the day creating culinary whole-grain masterpieces to feed friends, you can’t go wrong when popcorn is the star of the day.

Here’s a twist on a classic, sweet and crunchy snack – with maximum flavor from kisses of warm cinnamon and maple atop mounds of popcorn and nuts.

Cinnamon Popcorn Crunch

Makes: 12 cups

Ingredients:

• 12 cups unsalted, unbuttered popped popcorn
• 1/3 cup chopped unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped unsalted cashews, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped unsalted pecans, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown rice syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine popcorn, almonds, cashews, and pecans.
2. In a saucepan, combine butter, sugar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, 1/4 cup water, salt, and cinnamon; bring to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until mixture reaches a hard crack stage (295°F).
3. Slowly pour syrup in thin stream over popcorn mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly. Let cool; break into large chunks.

Tip: Add dried fruit, such as cranberries or mangoes, if desired.

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