Crunchy Popcorn Bites

I was experimenting with healthy snacks and came up with this one... only problem was I couldn't stop munching on this sweet treat!  This recipe comes together so fast and makes a huge batch, perfect for a party.  Here's the recipe:

1/4 cup white popcorn kernels

1 ½  tablespoons vegetable oil or coconut oil 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup honey

1 tablespoon ghee

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup dried cranberries, rehydrated

Pour ½ cup hot water over cranberries and let rehydrate for 8-10 minutes.

Heat a medium saucepan over medium high heat and drizzle oil over the bottom of the pan.  Top with popcorn kernels, cover and let sit 1-2 minutes.  Once you hear the first kernel pop, start vigorously shaking the pot until the popcorn starts pushing up the top of the lid and you hear the popping slow or stop.  Pour into a large bowl and set aside.   (If you own an air popper, you can use that as well).

In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir molasses, honey, cinnamon and ghee together.  Let the mixture come to a boil over medium high heat.  Use a candy thermometer and turn off the heat when it reads 260 degrees.    

Strain cranberries from hot water and pat dry with a cloth.  Toss cranberries, popcorn and nuts together and spread out onto a baking sheet.  Pour honey and molasses mixture evenly over the popcorn, toss together to coat and serve like homemade cracker jacks, or grease your hands slightly and work quickly to form into bite-sized balls.  

They are so good no one will be able to resist!  As always, start with organic ingredients, unsweetened cranberries and raw nuts (meaning without added salt or oil).  Molasses and honey are great sugars to use because they metabolize more slowly in the body and therefore reduce the "sugar rush" effect that happens so often with raw sugar and processed foods.