Today we celebrate the lesser of the many evils that snack world has to offer. In the land of greasy potato chips, artificial cheese flavorings, and sugary cookies, popcorn reigns supreme, and is only as simple or decadent as you want it to be. A movie just isn't a movie without a big bowl (or bucket) of puffy, white popcorn, drizzled with butter, topped with cheddar, or lightly sprinkled with salt. Outside of the cinema popcorn lives a wilder life, dabbling with more extravagant toppings like chocolate or caramel that transform this quaint corn into confectionary bliss. Here we have a little bit of everything, from the dangerously decadent to the simple and satisfying for all breeds of popcorn lovers.

Throw sea salt into any conversation and my ear automatically perk up, mix in caramel and you've just made yourself a new best friend. I am currently drooling over these  Caramel Sea Salt Popcorn Balls spotted over at Mrs. Fields' Secrets, and surveying my pantry for any of the ingredients needed to make these heavenly orbs. There's nothing on the list that any avid baker wouldn't find on their shelf at any given time, which to me makes this recipe a keeper in my book. Don't get me wrong, I love my fancy liqueurs and extracts, but staple ingredients are staple ingredients for a reason.

In addition to my addiction to sea salt, I am a big fan of subtly when it comes to my snacks. This recipe from Veganela for White Truffle Popcorn hints at sophistication without clocking you over the head with a silver platter. Simple yet flavorful, what more could one want?

This next recipe from The Single Momoirs is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen that isn't on four legs. This Birthday Cake Popcorn is a super sweet way to celebrate that special day without resorting to cliches or splurging on a fancy-pants cake. You don't have to wait for someone to have a birthday to snack on this sweet treat, it's pretty pastel confetti makes it great for baby showers, bridal showers or any occasion where an extra bit of sweetness is needed.

This next and last recipe comes from the baking mecca Best Friends for Frosting and shakes things up a bit by using popcorn itself as a topping. Popcorn Fudge may just be the next big thing in the world of sweets and treats, after all, it combines the two qualities that make for one heck of snack: salty and sweet. A little bit quirky, and very much delicious, don't be surprised if you start seeing these squares pop up (get it?) at sweet shops near you!