{in my kitchen} buttered popcorn cookies

To continue in my exploration of the smitten kitchen cookbook, I created a batch of "Buttered Popcorn Cookies".  I wasn't sure how this was really going to turn out, but realistically, how could a mixture of cookies + popcorn turn out wrong?  Exactly, it can't.  

It's the perfect combo of that freshly baked goodness you get from cookies, with an unexpected crunch from the popcorn.  Summary: bake these immediately.

Recipe via the smitten kitchen cookbook [no alterations needed]

[ingredients]

2 tbsp veg oil

1/4 cup popcorn kernels

1/4 tsp table salt

1 tbsp butter, melted

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• [Popcorn] Pour the oil in the bottom of a large saucepan/pot that has a lid and add kernels, shimmying them around until all are coated and in one layer.  Cover pot over med-high heat.  Once the kernels begin to pop, keep the pot moving until all of the kernels have popped [5-7 mins].  Toss salt and melted butter over popcorn.  Transfer to a bowl + fish out any un-popped kernels.  You should have 4-4 1/2 cups.  Let cool.
• [Dough] Preheat oven to 350*.  In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg + vanilla until smooth.  In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and baking soda together.  Stir the combined dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture.  Fold in the cooled popcorn so that it is evenly distributed through the batter, which will seem like a ridiculous task as there is so much popcorn + so little batter, but it works.  Don't worry if the popcorn breaks.
• [Bake] Scoop heaping tbsp-sized mounds 2 inches apart onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Bake the cookies for 10-12 mins, until the edges are light brown.  Let them sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm them before transferring to a cooling rack.

EAT!

photos: Robin West

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