It is finally Christmas baking time at my house. I just finished a big batch of goodies to send off to my Dad's office in San Antonio. I've been sending a big goodie box for several years. It takes a lot of work, but it gives my Dad major brownie points with the wholesale account room in the home office.
This peppermint popcorn bark was one of the new treats that I included in this year's goodie box. It is a Christmas version of Monster Munch. I didn't get to eat much of this first batch because it was for other people, but the little bit I did taste was great! I am planning on making another batch of this later this week for our house.
Flavored popcorn snacks are turning into one of my favorite treats to make. They are so easy to make and they are always a hit with everyone. This recipe makes a ton. This would be great bagged up for teachers or neighbors and co-workers.
(Printable Recipe)
2 bags microwave popcorn, popped (18-20 cups)
1 6oz box candy canes, crushed
1 package Almond Bark
1 tsp peppermint extract or a few drops of peppermint oil
Place popcorn in a very large bowl - the biggest one you have. Pour crushed candy canes on top of the popcorn. (I crush my candy canes in the food processor - it is quick and it pulverizes the candy canes!) Melt almond bark according to instructions on the package. Add the peppermint extract or oil to the almond bark and pour over popcorn. Stir until all the popcorn is coated. Pour popcorn on wax paper and allow to harden. Once the popcorn has hardened, break into pieces and enjoy!
That's sweet of you! Luv that reindeer bowl.
ReplyDeleteInteresting popcorn recipe.
Neat, festive treat. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea! A keeper!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Talk about a to-die-for Christmas treat! Can't wait to make this at home. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks great and simple enough that even I could do it! Thanks Steph, I'm for sure going to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThat's the coolest idea! I love your twist!
ReplyDeleteAh, and now I've found the perfect neighbor gift. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteStupid question - what kind of popcorn do you usually use. And, buttered or not? I plan to make this to take to a family Christmas party Saturday night! I know the kiddos will love it. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteLaralee - I used plain popcorn. I think the buttered popcorn would be fine too.
ReplyDeleteIt's pink! lol
ReplyDeleteThat is cool though and very nice of you to do for your dad!
All your peppermint treats are seriously giving me cravings.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the bowl! Where did you get it?/Who is it by?
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe and blog...I posted it on my community foodie blog. Hope you can come check it out http://www.facebook.com/thefrenchiefoodie
ReplyDeleteAlso, feel free to post you're recipes or you're favourite foodie tips on it whenever you like!
Since almond bark comes in different size packages, when you say "1 package" do you know about how many ounces or if it's the smaller or largest size packages? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - I use a 24oz package of almond bark
ReplyDeleteWhat is almond bark exactly? Im Australia and haven't heard of it before.
DeleteIt is a type of white chocolate made with vegetable oils instead of cocoa butter with added flavoring and color. Tastes almost vanilla like.
DeleteIt is a type of white chocolate made with vegetable oils instead of cocoa butter with added flavoring and color. Tastes almost vanilla like.
DeleteI just found this on Pinterest and had to come by and pin it! What a great treat for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Natasha @ Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive,365.
Where is that adorable bowl from?
ReplyDeleteJust made this and it is delicious! Super quick and easy too. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteoh.my.yum! I just made this and it is so easy! Hopefully there will be some left for gifts!
ReplyDeleteJust made this to give as a little extra to my daughters teacher and bus driver, it was so easy & delish!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your creative foodie mind :0)
Staci
Made this yesterday it was a great hit!! Sooo easy to make and what a great taste :) Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThis works great with crushed pretzels in place of the popcorn! Just made some for my office treat swap...yum!
ReplyDeleteThis works great with crushed pretzels in place of the popcorn! Just made some for my office treat swap...yum!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing, and I'm wanting to make it tonight. Do you know how long it would keep in an airtight container?
ReplyDeleteIt should keep several days - probably at least a week. I've never had any leftover after a couple of days!
ReplyDeleteI made this for a little gathering and it was a HIT! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
ReplyDeleteThis stuff is amazing! I made some for my brothers, but I am finding it hard to not eat all, myself. YUM!
ReplyDeleteJamie - I have the same problem! Love this popcorn!!
ReplyDeleteThe bowl is made by tag limited. I just recently found one on amazon. Mine is a small dip bowl and the antlers are dip spreaders. Both of them come out. It's called a Merry Moose bowl and not anything to do with a reindeer. (=
ReplyDeleteThis looks fun i've never experimented with popcorn but i might give this a try, will have to find a substitute almond bark but sure i'll find something :)
ReplyDeleteFotf - you can use white chocolate
DeleteYeah...I had never heard of "Almond Bark" which is apparently just melting chocolate (white or dark/original) and it's probably a regional thing. Usually if you call something almond bark, it's the chocolate with chopped almonds in it...so I was so confused. You can get white chocolate disc melts at craft stores or candy supply stores (Michael's has them in their candy/baking section. Other colors too!)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I love popcorn and peppermint, especially during the holiday season! Great simple gift to give to family and friends too!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome. I would love to make some with the kids.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm not familiar with 'almond bark' as a pre packaged product - does it actually have almonds in it? Or is it just white chocolate?
ReplyDeleteLindsey - almond bark is a white candy coating. They sell it at the grocery store near the chocolate chips. It melts much easier than white chocolate.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that struggled with this recipe?? I melted the almond bark as instructed. Then, I put my teaspoon of peppermint extract in.... It made the almond bark harden again!! No amount of heat or time in the microwave would get it back to it's creamy consistency. What did I do wrong?!?
ReplyDeleteCan regular popcorn be used instead?
ReplyDeleteTanya - you can absolutely use regular popcorn. I just don't have a popcorn popper.
ReplyDeletekristina - you could have overheated the almond bark (I've done it before) - it will get super hard if you overheat it. The almond bark will seize up a bit when you put the extract in, but just pour it over the popcorn and stir it around. It will coat the popcorn just fine. You could also use peppermint oil - the almond bard won't seize at all with the peppermint oil. (I buy a new bottle of peppermint oil every year just for this recipe)
ReplyDeleteI just made it and it turned out perfect! I used one cup of regular popcorn in our popper, generic vanilla candy coating, and no peppermint oil as I am too cheap, lol. I'll be trying it out on my coworkers tomorrow and if it disappears, this is my gift for friends, etc.
ReplyDeleteGonna make this tomorrow night. Can't wait to see how everyone likes it...super excited.
ReplyDeletecan't wait to make this! made something similar last year but didn't have peppermint flavoring to it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI made this tonight and i had the same problem! The almond bark got hard and chunky looking as soon as I added the peppermint extract. I read the back of the almond bark package and it says that if you add any liquid it will harden the melted almond bark. So, i had a play-dough consistency almond mark mixture and i mixed it with my popcorn using my hands, because it was impossible with a spoon. It turned out fine and tasted great!
ReplyDeleteokay, so... I feel really stupid asking this question but, where can I buy the peppermint oil/ extract? I was looking online at Meijer... and it gave me ONE result... in it's bath and lotion department... and I don't think its the right one... is it? I'm so confused. I'm hoping to shop for the ingredients tomorrow. A little help please?
ReplyDeleteCyn - you can find the peppermint oil/extract in the baking isle at the grocery store and Wal-Mart. It will be with the vanilla. You can also find it in the cake decorating section of Michael's or Hobby Lobby.
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteHave you ever used chocolate almond bark?
Kelly - I haven't used chocolate almond bark, but I am sure it would be delicious!
ReplyDeleteI just made up a bunch of this for Christmas presents for my husbands employees...we made the white almond bark and peppermint in one batch, then made another batch of oreos and white almond bark...and then went for it all with a batch of chocolate almond bark, oreos and peppermint candy!! It's the best one..I had to stop eating it to package it to give away...but I do think everything is better in chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI bought a package of almond bark at Aldi that is 1.5lbs; I doubt that is how much this recipe needs.
ReplyDeleteSo could you tell me how many ounces of almond bark you use?
Cheryl - I used a 24oz package of almond bark. Your package is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI thought when reading over the recipe that it would end up being too pepperminty. Boy, was I wrong! I made a batch this morning. I ended up using 4 bags of popcorn. ONLY because the plain popcorn I found was bagged in the new microwaveable pop-up bowls, which are smaller than normal microwaveable bags.
ReplyDeleteThe finished product was the PERFECT blend of salty, sweet, & minty! I made it with the intentions of giving to my neighbors & trust me, it ended up being very hard to give it away! I kept a bag for myself & hope it lasts til my hubby makes it home from work! This has automatically made the list of "Must-make candy at Christmas"
I just made two batches one with white and the other chocolate almond bark. They both are so good. I just hope it will make it our party tomorrow. Thanks for sharing Stephanie. I will be making this every year! And I agree, it is very addicting!
ReplyDeleteHow have I managed to miss out on this yummy yummy treat??? My neighbor just brought a big batch over as part of her Christmas goodies that she makes each year and it is awesome!! I googled it to find out how she made it & found your site. I'm going to be making a big batch of this tomorrow because we've already finished the bag that we received only about 30 minutes ago!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to find the almond bark. I do have the white chocolate to try, but I also happened to come across the peppermint bark in the baking aisle and thought I'd give that a try as well. I am curious if that plus the oil/extract might be peppermint overkill, but I plan on trying a small batch with and and without to see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteAnneBelle - I don't think the peppermint oil is overkill. It is a small amount and doesn't overwhelm the popcorn.
ReplyDeleteI made this yesterday for our New Year's Eve party. Everyone loved it and several people requested the recipe! I crushed mints instead of candy canes and used regular popcorn popped in a paper bag instead of the store-bought kind. Thanks for the recipe! It was delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis is great with Rice Chex, too...or any Chex cereal that you would want to use...I just don't use the peppermint oil, only crushed peppermints!
ReplyDeleteCajun Teacher - I need to try it with Chex - sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI also have not heard of almond bark. Do you think white chocolate chips would work, or does it have to be real white chocolate? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is a candy coating. You can substitute white chocolate.
DeleteThis is THE BEST!!! Everyone who I've ever made it for loves it!!! I have to make many batches of this as it goes FAST!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is THE BEST!!! Everyone who I've ever made it for loves it!!! I have to make many batches of this as it goes FAST!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it! I can't make it fast enough during the holidays!
DeleteI've been told that extract will ruin the bark, and to only use peppermint oil. Has anyone who has made this find that this to be true??
ReplyDeleteI use peppermint oil. You have to move really quick if you use the extract. It will start to seize up.
DeleteMine isn't hardening. Any solutions?
ReplyDeleteYou could put it in the refrigerator.
DeleteI am making this tonight! Found you on Pinterest!
ReplyDeleteSandra
The Adored Home
Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteFound this on Pinterest & just made some. I discovered that I need a MUCH BIGGER bowl than the biggest one that I've currently got. But my granddaughter had great fun pounding the candy canes with a hammer! Now we're waiting for it to harden (but we've gone into the kitchen several times for a taste already!). Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWe sneak bites too! I like to call it "Quality Control".
Delete