Sweet & Salty Dark Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn Balls

Halloween is tomorrow ahhh!!! Unfortunately, I will be stuck at work most of the day, so I plan on doing some early celebrating. I feel like popcorn balls have gotten a bad rep over the years, they've always been tossed aside among the other Halloween goodies but I have always found them to be delicious and I am determined to make them have a comeback this year. If you've ever looked up a recipe for these before they're surprisingly complicated, it usually involves sugar, corn syrup, and a candy thermometer (which I do not own). I decided to use marshmallows instead and salt the popcorn to cut the sweetness, the result was a tasty crunchy chewy treat AND It's better for you than those highly overrated candy bars.

Sweet & Salty Dark Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn Balls

1 TBS vegetable oil
1/4 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup dark chocolate (or chocolate of your choosing)
2 TBS butter
1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:

1.In a small pan with a lid, heat oil on medium low heat for about a minute, add popcorn kernals (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan) and cover, waiting until the popcorn starts to pop (get another bowl ready). Poor popped popcorn into the bowl and lightly add salt to your liking.

2.In a separate bowl, melt the butter then add marshmallows. When marshmallows start to melt, add popcorn, try not to get any unpopped kernels into the marshmallow mix. Mix until popcorn has an even layer of mallow coating, then carefully form balls with your hands, be careful, it could be hot! Place balls on parchment paper for drizzling.

3.Melt chocolate (I did mine in the microwave in 11 second increments) then, with a spoon, drizzle balls with chocolate. I also added stick to mine to prevent sticky hands while eating.

Variations:
You could add any of the following to kick up the flavor of your popcorn:
Shredded coconut, caramel drizzle, white chocolate (with orange or purple food coloring for the festive times), roasted peanuts (for a Cracker Jack effect)add candy corn or M&M's for added color and texture.