A few weeks back, Country Boy spent the weekend doing a course for the local fire brigade. This meant that I was on solo parenting duty all weekend. Now, I know that I am super lucky, because this isn’t something I need to do very often. A couple of hours here and there, but rarely a whole weekend. When I am solo parenting for a longer time, I become Mrs Super Organised because I need everything to run smoothly. I have a list of things to get done, and a mental plan of what will happen when. I find that having a plan really helps me to feel on top of my game. One part of my plan is always snacks. My kids forget to eat when they are playing because they are having too much fun, then the come in grumpy because they are hungry, and then everything goes pear shaped.
I had been meaning to have a go at making some cinnamon popcorn for a few months, but had never got around to it. It took hardly any time to make, and I handed each kid a bowl of popcorn which they promptly hoovered up and asked for seconds. Best of all, I popped the corn myself in the microwave using just a paper bag. I had read several tutorials about the best way to do this, and with a little trial and error got it right. I’m never buying microwave popcorn again!
- ¼ c popcorn kernels
- 1 brown paper lunch bag
- 1T melted butter
- 1T icing sugar
- 1 t cinnamon
- ½ t salt
- Place the popcorn kernels into the paper bag.
- Fold the top over twice and place in the microwave.
- Microwave on high. The length of time will depend on your microwave. We have a 1200 watt model, and it took 1 minute and 45 seconds - a less powerful model will take longer. You can tell when it is ready, when the popping sounds slow down to just 2 or 3 every second. Do not leave the microwave even for a second!
- Open up the bag and carefully pour the melted butter over the popcorn.
- Close the bag and shake gently to mix the butter and popcorn.
- Open the bag again, and place the sugar, cinnamon, and salt into the bag (the salt is really important!).
- Shake the bag to distribute the cinnamon, sugar, and salt.
- Serve.

Have you tried popping your own corn in the microwave? What are your tricks for solo parenting successfully?
Sounds delicious! We pop popcorn in the microwave – maybe it is our model of microwave, but I find it pops best when I raise the paper bag off the turntable by putting it on a bowl.
Great tip!
I literally just made a batch of cinnamon popcorn last night and posted the recipe! How good is it? Yumm and I also enjoy the microwave bag way
What a great idea adding cinnamon – I haven't made popcorn in a paper bag but it looks so easy! Can't wait to try this out!
Mmm yum! Sweet and salty popcorn is the BEST! Love making it in the microwave too – so quick and easy! Thanks for a fab new recipe. Thanks for joining our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party xx
We love making our own popcorn, it is the best snack. One of my girls favourites is cinnamon and they love some dried apple chopped up in it too.
Dropping by from Fabulous Foodie Fridays 🙂
I love making cinnamon popcorn but I'd never thought of making my own microwave bag. Thanks for the idea – we'll definitely be testing it out soon.