Since I was a little girl I’ve loved the Academy Awards. I always adored everything Hollywood and nothing was better than watching my favorite movie stars in their beautiful gowns, dreaming of being there someday myself. (Who knows if I’ll ever get to attend the Oscars, but I have held one once!)
Three years ago, my birthday fell on Oscar night, so it seemed too perfect of a coincidence to not host a Birthday/Oscar extravaganza! It was complete with a red carpet, movie trivia, the Oscars playing on several huge screens and of course red velvet cupcakes. It was a blast, but I personally prefer to watch all my favorite stars from the comfort of my couch with some snacks and an Oscar ballot. :)
Anyway- after the crazy complicated Chocolate Malt Layer Cake I shared on Monday, I wanted to give you a really easy recipe that also happened to be festive and appropriate for one of my favorite days! (Oscar night is kinda like my Superbowl.)
These bars are just like Rice Krispie treats but made with crispy slightly salty popcorn and the key ingredient- brown butter. The result is a sweet and salty treat that is both chewy and crispy. They would be a perfect addition to the spread of an Oscar party don’t you think?
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- sea salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2½ to 3 cups marshmallows
- Add the oil to a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add 3-4 kernels of un-popped corn and cover.
- As soon as you hear those kernels pop, remove the saucepan from the heat and add the rest of the corn. Count to 30 and then cover the saucepan and return to heat. Gently shake the pan back and forth over the heat until the popping sound has died down. (It won't take long.) Leave the cover slightly ajar to let the steam out- this will result in crispier popcorn.
- Sprinkle popcorn with sea salt and set aside.
- Place the butter into a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with a plate. (You want something that fits well and snug- gaps will result in a buttery mess.)
- Microwave for 5 minutes. You will hear the butter sizzle and pop as it browns. If after 5 minutes it isn't brown yet- add one minute at a time until it is a golden color with brown flecks.
- Carefully remove the (hot) bowl from the microwave and mix in the marshmallows, coating them well with butter.
- Put the bowl back in the microwave and heat for 1 minute. Stir until marshmallow mixture is thick and creamy.
- Add the popcorn to the marshmallow/butter mixture and stir well to coat. Press mixture into a greased 8x8 baking dish and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Wait for 10-15 minutes and then cut into bars and serve!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
February 20, 2013 at 8:11 amLove this idea. I’ll take a few of these plus a giant slice of that cake from Monday… still craving it!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
February 20, 2013 at 9:57 amThese are a perfectly wonderful way to watch the Oscars. I love this idea!
Vicki @ WITK says
February 20, 2013 at 11:35 amWhile I’m not a huge fan of the Oscars, I love all things marshmallowy. These are super fun and a great treat for any party! Wonder how they would taste with a flavored marshmallow…
Audra says
February 20, 2013 at 1:31 pmOoh delicious I bet!
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says
February 20, 2013 at 12:32 pmI cannot wait to try these because a few years back I had a popcorn ball disaster! There was WAY too much marshmallow and it was just a sloppy mess. These look a whole lot better.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
February 20, 2013 at 3:15 pmIf my Oscar party hostess allowed, I would bring these in a heartbeat, but she’s insisting on taking care of everything! Anyway, next movie night in, these are HAPPENING.
tara says
February 20, 2013 at 3:37 pmOH MY GOD!!!! I have always HATED rice krispie treats. But with popcorn?!?! I can totally get on board with that!! Thanks Audra!!
Colette @ JFF! says
February 20, 2013 at 6:36 pmRice krispie treats just got shown the door!
Julie @ Table for Two says
February 20, 2013 at 7:55 pmthese look way more addicting than rice krispies – i mean, brown butter and popcorn together is like an explosion of flavors and two hearts combining into one. it’s total LOVE!!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
February 20, 2013 at 10:30 pmThese look so good! I love the idea of popcorn and brown butter!
Tracey says
February 20, 2013 at 11:42 pmThis is *such* a fun idea and it’s just perfect for the Oscars! Also, I think our birthdays are super close – when is yours?? I’m the 26th :)
Audra says
February 21, 2013 at 7:49 pmYes very close fellow Pisces! I’m March 7th (Oscars were late that year :))
Joanne says
February 21, 2013 at 6:57 amMy favorite part of the oscars is seeing all the dresses!! Brown butter and popcorn are definitely necessary to experience it properly though…these look awesome!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
February 21, 2013 at 7:34 amoooooooooooooh I love this! My little guys are gonna owe you thank you notes for this one.
Becca from Cookie Jar Treats says
February 21, 2013 at 9:49 amI always tell myself I will watch whatever Hollywood event is going on, whether it be the Grammys, Oscars or whatever. It never happens. Oh well. Usually I just read about it the next day.
These look delicious! :)
a farmer in the dell says
February 21, 2013 at 12:22 pmThese sound absolutely perfect. I love a good popcorn ball and these bars sound delicious. The brown butter is genius!
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
February 21, 2013 at 4:33 pmThese + Oscars = Perfection! Such a great idea!!
Ellen @ Indigo Scones says
February 21, 2013 at 7:02 pmMy sisters and mom say the same thing, The Oscars is their Superbowl! Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to make them these :)
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
February 23, 2013 at 9:45 amPerfect, perfect, perfect for Oscar Sunday! I’d been wondering recently if such a thing existed – marshmallow popcorn “rice crispie” treats – but never considered them with brown butter. Yum. I think tomorrow is the perfect excuse to whip up a batch!
Amanda says
February 23, 2013 at 12:27 pmThese look fantastic!!!
Heidi Medina says
February 23, 2013 at 4:57 pmI love this idea of treating popcorn like rice crispies and adding brown butter. A treat for adults that gives the kid feeling, what a great idea. I’m trying this soon.