Here are a few recipes and ideas for the holiday season. Get the whole family involved, especially on those chilly nights when you are "stuck" inside. Kids love to participate, and they will be thrilled when they make personal holiday items. Do you have some great ideas on ways to use popcorn at Christmas? Let me know and I will post it here for everyone to enjoy. Happy holidays to all!
Christmas Popcorn Recipe- 5 quarts Freshly popped, unsalted popcorn
- 1 cup Unsalted,dry-roasted peanuts
- 1 cup Butter or margarine
- 2 cups Firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Dark corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
Preheat oven to 250 F. Combine popcorn and peanuts in a large, lightly greased roasting pan; mix well and set aside. Melt butter or margarine in a medium saucepan; stir in sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and continue boiling over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn, mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for 10 minutes. Spread in single layer on folded large brown paper bags to cool completely. Keep fresh tasting for 2 to 3 weeks in an airtight container.
Popcorn Garland For Your Christmas Tree- day-old popcorn
- dried cranberries
- golden raisins
- other colorful dried fruit such as apples
- heavy duty thread, fishing line, or even dental floss will work
- strong needle, like a tapestry needle
Alternate each of the ingredients on to the string, i would suggest doing a couple of each item as you alternate to they show up better. Depending on the size of your tree will determine the size of the garland. If kids are helping, make sure to be careful with the needle.
Christmas Popcorn Balls- 16 cups popcorn popped
- 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- miniature chocolate chips, holiday colors if you can find them
- red cinnamon candies
Put popcorn in a very large bowl. In a medium saucepan, combine marshmallows, butter and milk. Stirring constantly, cook over low heat until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Let cool slightly and then sprinkle chocolate chips and cinnamon candies EVENLY over mixture. Using lightly-greased hands, take out enough popcorn mixture to make a ball about 3-4 inches in diameter. Pack together to form firm ball. Store in airtight container.
