PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN BITES

PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN BITES 2 quart salted butter flavored popcorn (approximately 8-9 cups total) 2 cup salted cocktail peanuts 1/2 cup [1 stick] butter 1 (10½ oz) bag mini marshmallows 1 (10 oz) bag peanut butter chips 2 tsp pure vanilla For the ganache: 1 1/2 cup milk/semi sweet/dark chocolate chips (your preference) 1/2 cup heavy cream Garnish: 1/2 cup finely chopped cocktail peanuts (optional) In a large mixing bowl, mix together the popcorn and peanuts. You'll need approximately 8-9 cups of popped popcorn. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, melt ½ cup of butter. Add the peanut butter chips and marshmallows. Stir constantly over low heat until completely melted and heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in two tsp of vanilla. Pour the peanut butter marshmallow coating over the popcorn and peanuts. The peanut butter mixture is thick and sticky giving the popcorn bytes their chewy texture. Stir with a non stick spatula until the popcorn and peanuts are completely coated. Press the mixture into a buttered 9 x 13 inch dish. Cool completely on the counter for around 2 hours or until the bottom of the dish is cool to the touch before cutting. To make the ganache: Melt 1½ cups of milk/semisweet/dark chocolate chips with ½ cup of heavy cream in the microwave until smooth then set aside while you cut the squares. Line a baking sheet, with wax paper. Cut the peanut butter popcorn into 24 (2) inch squares or 48 (1) inch squares. Place onto the wax paper. Drizzle the squares with the warm ganache and sprinkle each with chopped peanuts, if desired. Cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature