Festive Christmas Popcorn Candy
Christmas Popcorn Candy
Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, and delicious treats! One of the easiest and most fun snacks you can make during the holiday season is Christmas Popcorn Candy. This delightful combination of popcorn, caramel, and festive spices will keep your family and friends reaching for more. Whether you’re watching a holiday movie or hosting a party, this snack is perfect for sharing.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Christmas Popcorn Candy is a fun and simple way to spread holiday cheer. It combines the crunchiness of popcorn with a sweet, buttery caramel coating and a hint of holiday spices. This treat not only tastes amazing, but it also fills your home with wonderful scents of cinnamon and ginger. Plus, it’s a great activity to do with kids who can help with mixing and tossing the ingredients.
How to Make Christmas Popcorn Candy
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (not required if air popping with a popcorn maker)
- 1/3 cup popping corn (10 cups popcorn, Note 1 for lighter caramel coverage)
- 2/3 cup slivered almonds
- 100g / 7 tbsp butter (unsalted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup corn syrup (light, substitute with glucose, Note 2)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3 tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp allspice powder (or more cinnamon)
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves (or more cinnamon)
Directions:
Popcorn:
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few pieces of popcorn and wait until they pop. Quickly remove those popped pieces.
- Add the remaining popcorn, lift the pot off the stove to shake and spread the corn evenly, then cover with a lid. Once the popcorn begins to pop rapidly, shake the pot gently once.
- Remove from heat when the popping slows down (you should count to 3 between pops) and transfer to a very large bowl. You need 10 cups of popcorn for this recipe.
Caramel:
- Preheat your oven to 110°C (230°F).
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the brown sugar, corn syrup (or glucose), and salt. Stir until just combined.
- When the mixture starts to bubble, let it simmer for 4 minutes without stirring.
- Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the Christmas spices, vanilla, and baking soda. Whisk vigorously for 10 seconds, and the caramel will foam and increase in volume.
- Pour the caramel directly over the popcorn and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the slivered almonds on top and toss again until the caramel cools and starts to harden.
Baking to Crisp:
- Spread the popcorn across two baking trays.
- Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes. The caramel will re-melt during the first few tosses to coat the popcorn evenly.
- After baking, remove from the oven and let it cool. Gently break into pieces and transfer to an airtight container for storage. It stays crisp for 2-3 weeks!
How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Candy
Serve Christmas Popcorn Candy in a large bowl or in holiday-themed snack bags. It’s perfect for movie nights, holiday parties, or as a sweet treat to share with friends and family.
How to Store Christmas Popcorn Candy
Store your Christmas Popcorn Candy in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it away from moisture to ensure it stays crispy for longer. This sweet snack can last for about 2-3 weeks.
Tips to Make Christmas Popcorn Candy
- Make sure to have all your ingredients measured and ready before starting to avoid any last-minute rushing.
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor.
- If you want a lighter caramel coating, use less popcorn to allow the caramel to coat more evenly.
Variation
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits. You can also substitute the spices for other flavors like cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist!
FAQs
1. Can I use microwave popcorn?
Yes, you can use microwave popcorn, but it’s best to use plain, unsalted popcorn for this recipe.
2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! As long as you use gluten-free ingredients, this recipe can be enjoyed by everyone.
3. How can I make the caramel thicker?
To make thicker caramel, allow it to bubble longer before adding it to the popcorn, but be careful not to burn it.
Now, you’re ready to enjoy this festive Christmas Popcorn Candy with family and friends! Happy holidays!
Christmas Popcorn Candy
Ingredients
For the Popcorn
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil not required if air popping with a popcorn maker
- 1/3 cup popping corn yields approximately 10 cups of popcorn
For the Caramel
- 100 g unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup corn syrup light, substitute with glucose
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3 tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp allspice powder or more cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves or more cinnamon
For Topping
- 2/3 cup slivered almonds
Instructions
Popcorn
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few pieces of popcorn and wait until they pop. Quickly remove those popped pieces.
- Add the remaining popcorn, shake the pot to spread the corn evenly, then cover with a lid. Shake the pot gently once the popcorn begins to pop rapidly.
- Remove from heat when the popping slows down (count to 3 between pops) and transfer to a very large bowl.
Caramel
- Preheat your oven to 110°C (230°F).
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir until just combined.
- When the mixture starts to bubble, let it simmer for 4 minutes without stirring.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the Christmas spices, vanilla, and baking soda quickly. The caramel will foam and increase in volume.
- Pour the caramel directly over the popcorn and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle slivered almonds on top and toss again until the caramel cools and starts to harden.
Baking to Crisp
- Spread the popcorn across two baking trays.
- Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes to evenly coat the popcorn.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool. Break into pieces and transfer to an airtight container.
