My daughter, Zuzu, started middle school this year and she takes her new responsibilities as a Tween very seriously. She showers in the morning and spends twenty minutes fixing her hair into the perfect messy bun. Her mission in life to collect every variety of EOS lip balm and all the Bath and Body Works shower gels. She wants to buy her clothes at Forever 21, American Eagle Outfitters and Aeropostale. Especially Aeropostale because that is where her “favorite YouTuber,” Bethany Mota, has her fashion line. Bethany Mota has been aptly described as the YouTube star you have never heard of, but your daughter undoubtedly adores. Mine certainly does.
My husband and I are having a little trouble adjusting to the new Zuzu — I think Bath and Body Works must be what hell smells like — but it can also be fun to live with a someone who is newly interested in fashion, beauty and crafts. Those happen to be three things that I like too.
So when Zuzu came to me saying that she wanted to make a special Valentine’s Day treat that she saw on Bethany Mota’s YouTube channel, I was game to give it a try. Now, because it was a cooking project, I told Zuzu that we were going to put our own twist on it. I don’t usually take recipes from eighteen-year-old fashion bloggers. I’m a food blogger, dammit!
The “recipe” that inspired Zuzu was for a chocolate-drizzled popcorn that you could pack in jars and give to friends for Valentine’s Day. It sounded like a sweet idea, and I felt certain that I could come up with my own version. Because there is very little actual cooking involved — once you’ve popped the popcorn — this is a great project to make with your kids. Zuzu and I had a blast doing it together and it was nice to have some time with her that was free of nagging on my part and eye-rolling on hers.
Among the toppings we experimented with for our popcorn were Valentine’s Day M&M’s, pretzels, white chocolate chips, orange zest and candied ginger. But you can use any toppings that sound good to you, including dried fruits, nuts and peanuts (if no one has a tree nut or peanut allergy), and other small candies such as Red Hots. The key is to add the toppings while the chocolate is still warm and gooey so that they will stick. It is also important, once you’ve added everything you want, to then chill the mixture to set it.
Pack the popcorn mixture gently into Ball jars and decorate with doilies or pretty ribbons. The jars would make nice gifts for teachers, relatives, neighbors or your children’s friends. Zuzu is excited to give the jars that we made to her best gal pals, all of whom probably love Bethany Mota too.
