One of my favorite Christmas cookies is a Peppermint Joe Joe from Trader Joe’s. Unfortunately, we don’t have a Trader Joe’s in The Ham, and I didn’t make it over to Atlanta or up to Nashville to pick up a box (or six). I was forced to come up with a homemade Peppermint Joe Joe fix. I am really into popcorn treats this year, so I thought about the Peppermint Popcorn Bark I made last week. I thought if the peppermint was good – Oreos and peppermint had to be better, right? Right!!
Be warned – this is highly addictive! Chicken Legs, my official taste tester, took a bite and said “It’s good”. He took another bite and said “This is really good.”. After another bite he said “Take this stuff to work so I don’t eat it all!”. I gave some away, but I couldn’t bring myself to give it all away. It was just too good!
1 ½ 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 and Oroes on top of the popcorn. (I crush my candy canes and Oreos in the food processor) Melt one pack of almond bark according to instructions on the package. Add the peppermint extract or oil to the almond bark and pour over popcorn. Stir. The Oreos will absorb some of the almond bark and the popcorn won’t be fully coated. Melt the remaining almond bark and pour over popcorn. Stir until popcorn is coated. Pour popcorn on wax paper and allow to harden. Once the popcorn has hardened, break into pieces and enjoy!
This – and the white one – look wonderful and I want to try them but what weight are the two bags of popcorn that you buy? They don't do very large bags of the stuff where I live (Australia) and I'm not sure e that we have plain popcorn. It's usually sweet or salty so which one would you suggest I purchase? I'd love to take these to friend's for a New Year's Eve BBQ. Thanks in advance.
I don't have almond bark, but have some white choc discs instead. Do you know how many ounces of it I would use? Not sure how many ounces are in the almond bark packages…..
Question–when you say "one pack of oreos" does that mean a whole box (i.e. 3 rows) or one row, or one individually wrapped pack? I mean, one can never have too many oreos, but thought I'd ask š
I usually use peppermint oil and it doesn't seize. It will seize a little when you add the peppermint extract, but it doesn't harden immediately. It has always worked for me.
Yum! Question…I've tried adding liquids (like food coloring) to melted chocolate bark before and it always makes it go hard almost immediately. Do you use a special kind of bark or something? Thanks for sharing this recipe, can't wait to try it!
This sounds delicious! Do you know (roughly) how long is stays yummy for? I'm trying to put together a package of cookies and treats for my brother as he goes into finals week. It usually takes about 4 days for packages to reach him. Do you think they'd stay good that long?
I think I remember that reindeer dish from last Christmas – it's adorable. Well, Stephanie, as you know I'm a popcorn freak-0 and have to give this a try. Sounds wonderful.
Can I make this a nut free treat by using white baking chocolate or white chocolate chips instead of almond bark?
you can use white chocolate, but there are no nuts in Almond Bark.
Super yummy and festive snack!
Aldi now has their brand of peppermint Oreos. Now I must buy some to make this! š
This – and the white one – look wonderful and I want to try them but what weight are the two bags of popcorn that you buy? They don't do very large bags of the stuff where I live (Australia) and I'm not sure e that we have plain popcorn. It's usually sweet or salty so which one would you suggest I purchase? I'd love to take these to friend's for a New Year's Eve BBQ. Thanks in advance.
Jen – you can use candy melts. I used about 36 oz of almond bark.
I don't have almond bark, but have some white choc discs instead. Do you know how many ounces of it I would use? Not sure how many ounces are in the almond bark packages…..
I just need to know where to get that adorable reindeer mug!
If I have the peppermint joe joes do I still need peppermint oil?
Kerin – I used the whole package, all 3 rows.
Question–when you say "one pack of oreos" does that mean a whole box (i.e. 3 rows) or one row, or one individually wrapped pack? I mean, one can never have too many oreos, but thought I'd ask š
I usually use peppermint oil and it doesn't seize. It will seize a little when you add the peppermint extract, but it doesn't harden immediately. It has always worked for me.
Yum! Question…I've tried adding liquids (like food coloring) to melted chocolate bark before and it always makes it go hard almost immediately. Do you use a special kind of bark or something? Thanks for sharing this recipe, can't wait to try it!
Anna – pour the mixture over the popcorn in a huge bowl and then let it dry on parchment or wax paper
this is a silly question, but do you pour the mixture over the popcorn in a bowl or on the parchment popcorn?
I I usually use plain popcorn, lightly salted or the homestyle flavor.
My question is the same that Aub posted. Also, it looks like you used the white almond bark instead of chocolate, right? Thanks for sharing!
Do you use buttered microwave popcorn or just plain? This looks delish!
Awesome, thank you so much Steph!
Annie – It does stay good long enough to ship. I am making three batches this weekend to ship out. You should be fine.
This sounds delicious! Do you know (roughly) how long is stays yummy for? I'm trying to put together a package of cookies and treats for my brother as he goes into finals week. It usually takes about 4 days for packages to reach him. Do you think they'd stay good that long?
you could also use the mint oreos and skip the peppermint…might be yummy!
Lori – it is where the chocolate chips are in the grocery store and Wal-Mart
Where do you find packages of almond bark?
There is a Trader Joes in Nashville???? I didn't know that. Will have to stop in next month when I go back.
One look at your luscious popcorn and I think to myself, "I've died and gone to heaven because this is too good to be true."
Oh man that looks so good. I'm pretty sure I would want it all. What is this….sharing….it's code for all mine right?
Look at how creative you are!
Don't blame him, I don't need to eat all of it either.
You are a genius. This would be eaten all by myself. I wouldn't tell anyone I even made it! I'm seriously drooling…..
I think I remember that reindeer dish from last Christmas – it's adorable. Well, Stephanie, as you know I'm a popcorn freak-0 and have to give this a try. Sounds wonderful.