I speak not as an angry spinster but as a happily married woman when I say: I hate Valentine's Day. It probably stems from my general dislike of anything overly girly or pink, and my feeling that a sweet gesture of love is much more special on a day when society isn't pressuring you into doing it. And don't even get me started on how alienating the holiday is for anyone not in a romantic relationship.
In short, my feelings about Valentine's Day are a lot like this popcorn: salty and a little bitter, but impossible to ignore.
You might be thinking that my husband and I must be serious, unsentimental people, but that couldn't be further from reality. The truth is, we are both so busy most of the time that a night when we get to cozy up in our comfy pants and watch a movie at home with the dog is a special night indeed. Stovetop popcorn usually makes an appearance, sometimes tossed with a little Parmesan and black pepper, sometimes with a little olive oil and sea salt.

But for a crunchy snack and dessert in one, this salty, dark-chocolate-coated popcorn is my new favorite. It's just barely sweet, a touch bitter, and just salty enough to send me back to the bowl again and again. Salted caramel corn used to be my go-to fancy popcorn, but since this recipe is so much easier and less messy, I know I'll be making it more often, especially as a quick party snack.
But this isn't a treat that has to be shared. Should you find yourself alone this Thursday, make this popcorn, settle back in your comfy pants and rejoice in the freedom of being able to choose whatever movie you want — and watch out, because this recipe for four can easily become a meal for one.

Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn
Serves 4
1 tablespoon grapeseed or other neutral oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
4 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
In a medium pot, heat the oil and 3 kernels of popcorn, covered, over medium heat until all 3 kernels pop. Pour in the remaining kernels, cover pot again and shake to distribute. As the popcorn pops, shake pan occasionally and immediately remove from heat once the popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops. Pour popcorn into a large bowl, removing any unpopped or partially popped kernels you see.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place the chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl. Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until chocolate is very soft and becomes completely liquid when stirred gently. Immediately pour over the popcorn and stir to coat as thoroughly as possible. Spread evenly onto the baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let sit at room temperature until chocolate has hardened, about 1 hour.
Keeps for up to 3 days in an airtight container, but if you can keep it around that long, you are a stronger person than I am.
Additional Notes
• If you are making this popcorn for a vegan eater, make sure to use a dark chocolate with no dairy in the ingredients.Related: Fall Snacking Recipe: Peanut Butter Popcorn
(Images: Anjali Prasertong)

Gray Scallop Organi...

Comments (26)
Oh man, the salty-sweet thing is always such a good call. Reminds me of Lindt's Sea Salt dark chocolate bar . . best drugstore chocolate bar I've had in recent memory.
thank you thank you this is exactly what i need. i love using coconut oil to pop popcorn-- i think it would be delicious in this recipe!
Wow, this looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing a fantastic recipe! (Also, very funny! But, "angry spinster?" Ouch.)
Can we stop with the "angry spinster" stereotype? I thought we were past the point where a woman was only worth something if she were married.
I don't mind hearing "angry spinster". It adds humor to the post--thanks for the chuckle...AND the delicious popcorn idea!!!!!!!!!
couldn't agree more. i have a boyfriend but have always found valentine's day a bit ridiculous-shouldn't we let those we love know it intentionally more than 1 day/year?
your recipe looks absolutely delicious!
Mmmmm that looks so good! I love popcorn and chocolate! This would be good with some nice salted nuts thrown in too! Yum!
http://beanafoodie.com/blog
I am absolutely making this for/with my kids tomorrow. Perfect! Thanks
This sounds delicious but I don't have a microwave. What would be the best/easiest way to prepare the chocolate topping otherwise?
i have similar idea. dust your freshly popped popcorn with powdered sugar and cocoa
I cook my popcorn in a combo of butter and bacon fat (and don't add any fat after) and think the chocolate would be an awesome addition! May have to tweak the salt tho...YUM!
My daughter came home from Y camp with this recipe, written in her then-giant handwriting, and posted it on the fridge with a post it that said, "MAKE THIS!"
How would this taste with air popped popcorn? Does the oil add a lot of flavor? Faster with easier cleanup without the oil and also a bit lower fat...
@Tami B, I pop mine in a paper bag in the microwave--no oil. (1/3 cup of kernels in a paper lunch sack, two staples at the top to close it, microwave 1:47 on high--at least in my microwave.) And I think it'd be just fine without the oil.
I make kettle corn at least once a week. I have a Whirly popper; when the popcorn is half finished popping I toss in a handful of chocolate chips and stop the twirly-whirly-ing. The residual heat of the popcorn melts it well enough to toss in a big bowl. Not as much chocolate coverage as this method, but it works for me.
@jrossi1217: You could also melt it in a bowl over simmering water, as described here.
@Tami B: No, the oil is flavorless, so starting with air-popped popcorn would be just fine!
Sounds delicious.
And I may just change my username to angry spinster.
I love making stovetop popcorn! It's more economical and leaves you with that homemade pride - it's the little things in life. I'll be making this tomorrow!
You probably just used the words but can we please, please get past the 'angry spinster' label? It's bad enough when men categorize us into 'single, so has to be desperate' and 'married, so all has to be well'. Women should not label each other. I was very happily single till 35, married, had a child, marriage ended (thankfully) and am now a single parent with sole custody of my son, the remote and my life. It is not easy but I feel grateful for being able to run my life the way I want. However, I respect and admire those who are in good relationships and work to keep them that way. Each to his own.
Sorry for the long post-this is a subject I am a bit anal about.
Thank you however for saying that we should not save our loving gestures up for one day in the year :-)
Oh dear. To all those who read the first sentence of this post quite literally, please know that what I was actually doing was making fun of 1) the stereotype of all single women as "angry spinsters" and 2) the stereotype that only single women (a.k.a. "angry spinsters" -- see #1) hate Valentine's Day. I do not, nor have I ever thought that a romantic relationship somehow legitimizes a woman's existence. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Now that that's out of the way...happy popcorn-eating!
I'm with you on the pink girly stuff.
I couldn't even wait for the chocolate to cool -- this was fantastic!
Wow, this sounds wonderful and I will make it. BUT just gotta say....LOVE Valentine's Day. Love being girly and pink and not one person or any media pressures me to feel obliged. I don't have a lover in my life right now, he died. However, I have a daughter, son-in-law, grandson, niece, and wonderful friends that I absolutely adore and am so happy when I give out Valentines. So there. Girly and proud!
Munching on this now; made it last night. I used less chocolate, but what I used is very dark and it's a lovely combination of flavors. I am trying to consume less wheat and dairy, & I think this will become a regular treat. Popped the corn in coconut oil and the aroma is perfect! Glad I brought some into work with me because coworkers brought pizza and chocolate truffles! Now I don't even feel like I'm missing out... :)
One word. Devine!