Black Currant Cheesecake Kettle Corn (Print Version)

Savory-sweet popcorn coated with black currant and creamy cheesecake essence for a unique gourmet treat.

# Components:

→ Popcorn Base

01 - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Kettle Corn Coating

03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

→ Cheesecake & Black Currant Essence

05 - 2 tablespoons freeze-dried black currant powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 2 tablespoons powdered cream cheese
08 - 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add a few popcorn kernels and cover. When they pop, add the remaining kernels and cover the pot.
02 - Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the kernels. Shake the pot occasionally to prevent burning.
03 - When popping slows, remove the pot from heat. Immediately transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl.
04 - While the popcorn is still warm, sprinkle with sea salt.
05 - In a small bowl, combine black currant powder, powdered cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
06 - Sprinkle the cheesecake-black currant mixture over the warm kettle corn. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
07 - Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours in a gourmet kitchen when really you just used your stovetop and some clever powder magic.
  • The sweet-salty-tangy balance hits every craving at once, making it dangerously easy to finish a whole batch in one sitting.
02 -
  • The popcorn must still be warm when you add the powder coating, or everything slides right off and you're left with bare kernels and a sad bowl of powder at the bottom.
  • If your freeze-dried black currant powder is clumpy, sift it before mixing with the other powders, or those little lumps won't dissolve and you'll taste concentrated bursts of tartness instead of smooth flavor.
03 -
  • If you can't find freeze-dried black currant powder, freeze-dried raspberry powder works beautifully and gives you a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.
  • Add a whisper of lemon zest to the powder mixture for extra tang that makes people wonder what they're tasting.
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