Holiday Popcorn & Printable Tag
Popcorn is a great holiday gift. It is easy and as you know from this blog post that Americans love popcorn. It is the number one snack food in America, hitting it’s highest point in the holiday season. From seasoned popcorns that are savory, to sweet caramel corns, I love to make them all for the holiday season.
This recipe is so easy to change around. If you want, skip the cashews, and drizzle chocolate and mini marshmallows for a rocky road variation. Or add peppermint extract and dark chocolate for a fun holiday take. The only limit is your imagination!
Christmas Bliss Popcorn
Popcorn is, I am sure, the most popular holiday snack, and this recipe is amazing. I cannot make a lot of it because I have no self-control when it comes to Christmas Bliss.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cashews, lightly roasted
- 8 to 10 cups popcorn (about ¾ cup of raw kernels)
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter, only butter
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon cream of tarter
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
Step 1: Place popped corn in a large sprayed bowl. I use a large stainless bowl and I spray it with nonstick spray. This really is helpful when making multiple batches, and the Clean up is easy.
Step 2: Roast nuts and place in the bowl with the popcorn. (this would also be when you add any other variation other than cashews)
Step 3: In a heavy sauce pan place the sugar, corn syrup,
butter, cream of tarter, and salt and bring to a boil on high heat stirring constantly. Drop temperature to medium high heat and cook for 5 minutes or until it reaches a hard ball stage. (Meaning, it forms a ball when dropped into cold water.)
Step 4: After mixture reaches hard ball stage, remove from heat and add: Vanilla and baking soda. If you wanted any additional flavors like peppermint extract add it now too.
Step 5: Stir well and then pour over popcorn and cashews. Mix will to coat popcorn. Pour out onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and press lightly. Cool until hard and breaks into pieces. If desired before breaking up drizzle with chocolate, white and or dark and milk. Coconut works well also as does cranberries, nuts, and coco nibs.
I love to find fun container to put this in. Chinese takeouts with the wire are really great or decorated paper bags. Even a simple paper bag with a fun tag (like the one I have included) is great for the holiday season. This keeps well so I can make it up and have it ready when I need to share it over the holiday season.
Another idea for family members is a large jar that I title the magic Bliss jar and when ever they return it over the year I will fill it up for them.
I hope you enjoy the holiday season, and that it’s full of great popcorns.
Chef Brad~America’s Grain Guy
Here is the link for the fun holiday tag. Just print, sign your name, and you’re good to go!
