Chocolate Chip Popcorn Buster Bars

This post is sponsored by Palo Popcorn.

All opinions are my own.

In case you've been living in an air-conditioned, deep, dark tunnel underground, then you are well aware it's been HOT.

It's the Midwest kinda hot.  Sweltering humidity that seems to choke out your lungs as soon as you walk outside.  People in the southwest talk about dry heat.  What is that?  I've never experienced it. I only know the kind of hot that makes a person sweat just standing outside.

We've had a crazy whirlwind week.  Between traveling for a weekend getaway and multiple ball games dinners at home have been scarce.  Dessert at home?  Pretty much extinct.

Not that we need dessert.

Oh no, we don't need it at all.  But it's hot out and I like breaking the dietary rules of summer.  You know, the one where you're supposed to be eating salads, grilled lean meats and fresh fruit.

We eating that too....with a little ice cream dessert on the side.  What can I say?  I prefer being happy and content versus miserable and irritable.

My friends at Palo Popcorn contacted me recently and soon after I found a HUGE shipment of their delicious kettle popped popcorn on my doorstep.

I jumped at the chance with working with them for a few reasons.  #1) I love popcorn.  Who doesn't? As a family we make a big batch on the stove top every Sunday afternoon.  Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall we make a batch.  It's relaxing and our little tradition.  #2)  Their popcorn is FOR REAL. Made with 100% pure coconut oil it contains zero trans fats, is gluten free and contains no preservatives.  #3) Their flavor is top-notch.  You know how sometimes you eat flavored popcorn and the seasoning is barely sprinkled on?  Not this stuff.  They don't cheat you.

And I'll admit, while it pains me to support a Badger state {just kidding...kinda}, I love using products that are local or semi-local.  Small businesses are kinda my thing.  Hailing from Wisconsin, they are practically cousins and since they make the world's best cheese, it was a no brainer.

They have six delicious flavors Salted Original, Bacon Cheddar, Jalapeno Cheddar, White Cheddar, Premium Cheddar and Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar.

Stay tuned to the bottom of this post...you can win some for yourself!

Being a food blogger, I'm up for a challenge.  Remind the time I put mustard and rum in my boozy and spiced caramel blondies?  It worked!  After that spectacular dessert I just knew I could figure out how to put white cheddar popcorn into a homemade buster bar dessert.

You know the iconic Dairy Queen Buster Bar?  The one where vanilla ice cream, peanuts and hot fudge all incompass a popsicle stick?  Well, I don't have much patience or time for popsicle sticks, but I can make a killer ice cream dessert in a 9x13 pan.

So that is what I set out to do...

And because I love brownies, I added a brownie layer, just because.

I can hear the cries through my computer already.  White cheddar popcorn in a sweet ice cream dish? It just doesn't make sense Ally.  I get it, you're right, it doesn't make sense.

But it tastes really good!

Both the salty peanuts and popcorn offset the sweet brownie, ice cream, chocolate chips and hot fudge.  Plus it gives the dish an incredible crunch effect!

Just like us Midwesterners like to eat cheddar popcorn and caramel corn mixed together, this dish works the same.  It does require a bit of layering ability and definitely some extended freezer time, but it's worth the effort.

I made this on a day that was particulary busy...camp in the morning, ball games at night...all of us sweaty and tired by the time we got home to eat dinner.  Thankfully this dessert was waiting for us in the freezer ready to eat!  It was the perfect ending to a dreadfully hot and sticky day.

Want to win a big variety pack of Palo Popcorn for yourself?  Trust me, you do.  Here's your chance! You have two different ways to enter.  

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me which Palo Popcorn looks tasty to you.

2) Visit my Facebook page and comment telling me who you'd feed this delicious dessert to.

3) Do both to double your entries!

For those local in my area, visit Hy-Vee in Iowa City, store #1281, 1720 Waterfront Drive, as they stock this delicious popcorn!

Kudos to Palo Popcorn for sponsoring this post.  

Head on over to their website for ordering information!

Yield: 18Author: Allyprint recipe

Chocolate Chip Popcorn Buster Bars

prep time: 5 hourcook time: 20 MINStotal time: 5 hours and 20 mins

A rich bottom brownie layer, vanilla ice cream, salted peanuts, popcorn, chocolate chips and hot fudge...it's one that will become a summer tradition!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 boxed brownie mix
• 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
• 1 1/2 c. salted peanuts
• 2 c. White Cheddar Palo Popcorn
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• 1 c. hot fudge, melted

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay parchment paper, overlapping the sides in a 9x13 baking pan.
3. Mix the brownies according to package directions. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Allow the ice cream to sit on the counter for 30 minutes to soften. Once soft spread onto the cooled brownies, smoothing out with a spatula.
5. Lay on the peanuts, popcorn and chocolate chips gently pushing with your hands into the softened ice cream. Place in the freezer for 4 hours.
6. Remove from the freezer. Warm up the hot fudge in the microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth. Drizzle the hot fudge over the bars. Place back in the freezer for another hour before serving.
7. To serve, lift up the parchment paper and remove the bars from the pan. Run a long sharp knife under hot water and slice squares for serving. Keep the bars in the freezer for up to one week covered.

Created using The Recipes Generator