Kettle Corn

A few years ago, when Ryan and I were at BYU still, one of my little sisters came to live with us. Ryan and I had overlapping school schedules that semester, and Annie had just graduated from high school. Her now-husband was on a mission at the time, so she was still figuring out what she wanted to do. She decided she was going to work to save up some money, then probably go to school. I had a crazy idea. I asked her if she would come to Provo and live with us to help watch Tucker while Ryan and I went to school during the day, and she could get a job at night. She gladly accepted that offer. While she was there, she got a job at a movie theater in Orem- and it was the best decision she has ever made. When she would work nights, I couldn't wait till she got off work at midnight. I would be eagerly waiting in Ryan's truck for when she would walk out the movie theater door with a huge trashbag full of left-over kettle corn. It was heaven. Annie and I would sit in our apartment parking lot in the wee hours of the night scarfing the kettle corn down while talking and laughing. When we would go into the house, Ryan (usually sitting on the couch doing homework still) would just roll his eyes at the sight of the almost-empty bag of popcorn. Such fun memories! : )



Annie, me, Nikki at Y mountain in Provo, 2008
(they are twins if ya can't tell)


Well, a few months ago, we went to visit Ryan's grandma. She made us a big bowl of kettle corn, and I was hooked again. She had one of these contraptions to make it. My addiction returned and I just had to get me one. Ryan's parents gave me a bass pro gift card for my birthday, so I knew I could get one of these Whirley Pop's there. While I was in Utah a few weeks ago with my sister, Ryan went and got me one! It was sitting on the bed when I got home. : )

image source

After a few burnt batches, we finally figured out how to make it perfectly!!! So yummy!!!

my first batch of edible kettle corn!

Kettle Korn
-from http://www.popcornpopper.com/whirleypoprecipebook.html

Recipe Ingredients:

1/3 cup popping corn
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup popping oil
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Cooking Instructions:

Preheat electric stove (just above medium setting). For gas stoves set low, never higher. Preheating is unnecessary. Pour all ingredients into popper. Stir constantly until kernels have finished popping. Quickly empty Kettle Korn onto cookie sheet. While the corn cools, take popper immediately to sink, run hot water into it with liquid detergent. Close lid on suds and let it soak for easy clean-up. When Kettle Korn is cool, break into pieces with a wooden spoon. Pick out any un-popped kernels. Makes approximately 4 quarts of Kettle Korn.

To add color: Add a few drops of food coloring on the unmelted sugar when ingredients are put in popper. Don't squirt in one spot; it will lump. Dot small amounts around in 6 or 8 places. Store finished Kettle Korn in an airtight canister or jar.

To add flavor: Choose from coconut, rum, vanilla, or other flavorings. Try 1/2 teaspoon in the first batch, and increase with each batch to suit your taste.

*my note- for our electric stove, we have to start the temperature between low and medium, otherwise it will burn. Also, I sprinkle just a wee bit of salt after I pour the popped corn into the bowl.
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Go get you a Whirley Pop!!! Your life will never be the same!!! : )