Chocolate Popcorn Balls

I made a batch of caramel corn for Mr ETB's Valentine's present-and then I thought chocolate popcorn would be nice as well.

I'm not in love with these. They were easy enough to make, but the popcorn got somewhat soggy/chewy.

I wonder, if you just made it as loose popcorn, if baking it in the oven like caramel corn would help dry it and make the coating stick better? I might try it-the flavour is really nice, and as I'm not sure I've ever had a popcorn ball, perhaps this is exactly what they're supposed to be like. They sure do look pretty. I even dressed them up for gift-giving.

OK, Shhhh. Don't tell him what he's getting for his gift ;)