Golden Gaytime Popcorn

Golden Gaytime Popcorn – Copycat Recipe!

Introduction

Golden Gaytime popcorn is a delightful snack that brings the flavors of the beloved Australian ice cream treat into a crunchy and crispy popcorn form. This copycat recipe allows you to recreate the sweet and buttery taste of Golden Gaytime popcorn right at home. It’s perfect for movie nights, parties, or whenever you crave a sweet treat that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is a fun and creative way to enjoy popcorn. The combination of buttery caramel, crunchy biscuits, and chocolate drizzle makes it a uniquely tasty snack. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also lets you impress friends and family with a treat that tastes just like the store-bought version without the need to leave home. Plus, it’s customizable and can be adjusted to suit your taste!

How to Make Golden Gaytime Popcorn

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil (not required if air popping with a popcorn maker)
1/2 cup popping corn
100g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar (tightly packed)
1/2 cup light corn syrup (sub glucose, Note 1)
1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
2 tsp toffee or caramel essence OR 1 tsp vanilla (substitute) (Note 2)
1/2 tsp baking soda (Note 3)
1 1/4 cups dark or white chocolate melts or chips (US: semi-sweet chips) (Note 4)
4 plain sweet biscuits (like Marie Crackers) (Note 5)

Directions:

Popcorn:

Test oil: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few kernels of popcorn and wait until they pop, then quickly remove.
Pop: Add the remaining popcorn, lift the pot off the stove, and shake to spread the corn evenly. Cover with a lid. Once the popcorn starts popping quickly, give the pot a gentle shake once. Crack the lid slightly to let steam escape for crispier popcorn.
Remove from heat: When the popping slows down (you can count to three between pops), remove the pot from heat and transfer the popcorn to a (very!) large bowl.

Caramel:

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 110°C / 230°F.
Combine: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt, stirring until combined.
Simmer: Let it bubble without stirring for 4 minutes.
Baking soda "foamy": Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the caramel essence and baking soda. This will cause the mixture to foam and increase in volume.
Coat popcorn: Quickly pour the caramel over the popcorn, tossing until it cools and starts to harden.

Baking to Crisp Caramel Coating:

Spread popcorn: Spread the caramel-coated popcorn on two large paper-lined baking trays.
Bake: Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes. (If using glucose, bake an additional 15 minutes).
Cool: Remove from the oven and cool on the tray for 20 minutes. Break up the clumps if necessary.

Drizzle and Crumbs:

Crumbs: Place the biscuits in a ziplock bag and crush them into crumbs.
Melt chocolate: Microwave chocolate in a heatproof bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
Piping bags: Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bag or drizzle with a spoon.
Drizzle & crumb: Drizzle chocolate over the popcorn and sprinkle with biscuit crumbs while the chocolate is wet.
Fridge: Refrigerate for 15 minutes until the chocolate sets. Gently break into pieces, and enjoy!
Store: Keep in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

How to Serve Golden Gaytime Popcorn

Golden Gaytime popcorn can be served in bowls as a fun snack for movie nights or parties. It also makes a great gift when packaged in cellophane bags tied with ribbons. Invite friends over to taste this homemade delight, as it’s always a crowd-pleaser!

How to Store Golden Gaytime Popcorn

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in a cool place. This will help keep the popcorn crisp, and it should last for at least a week. However, be prepared; it might disappear much sooner than that!

Tips to Make Golden Gaytime Popcorn

Make sure to use fresh popcorn kernels for the best popping results.
Be careful when whisking in the baking soda, as the caramel will foam up quickly.
Adjust the amount of chocolate drizzle and biscuit crumbs based on your taste preferences.

Variation

You can customize this recipe by adding nuts or different flavored chocolate melts. Consider using white chocolate or even colored melts for a fun presentation!

FAQs

Can I use microwave popcorn for this recipe?
Yes, you can use microwave popcorn if you’re short on time, but the taste and texture may be slightly different.
What can I substitute for corn syrup?
You can use glucose syrup or light honey as an alternative to corn syrup.
How do I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free biscuits and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Enjoy making your Golden Gaytime popcorn and indulge in the delightful flavors!