Page 55 - Harnett Life Winter 2019

Cranberry Popcorn Balls
Yield: 18 balls
FAMILY FEATURES
rom decorating the tree to 2 cups sugar
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed
carving the turkey, there 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
are many time-honored 1/2 cup cranberry juice
Fholiday traditions 1/2 cup light corn syrup
observed by families around the 1 teaspoon vinegar
country. However, the holiday 1/2 teaspoon salt
season is about more than just 5 quarts unsalted, popped popcorn
celebrating old traditions. butter
A perfect opportunity for In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cran berry sauce, grated orange peel,
creating new memories and, in cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt.
turn, traditions, popcorn can
serve as an ideal ingredient Bring to boil; lower heat and cook until temperature reaches 250 F on
to bring family time to life. candy thermometer.
Whether wrapping the tree with Slowly pour cranberry mixture onto hot popcorn; mix until well-coated.
garland made from the light and Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls.
airy treat, filling clear ornaments Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.
with freshly popped kernels or
simply popping up a bowl as a
nutritious alternative to other
holiday noshes, popcorn makes
it easy to get hands-on while you
deck the halls.
These seasonal recipes for
traditional treats like peppermint
bark and popcorn balls plus
edible trees and a more elegant
take on a simple snack highlight
low-fat, non-GMO, gluten-free
whole-grain popcorn as the main
ingredient. Find more modern
takes on traditional holiday
recipes at popcorn.org.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark
White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark
PoP UP Holiday Yield: 1 pound Cranberry Popcorn Balls

5 cups popped popcorn
12 ounces white chocolate baking chips
1 cup crushed hard candy peppermints Festive Popcorn Trees
Traditions New and Old Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside. Yield: 10 trees
Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt 10 cups air-popped popcorn
chocolate, stirring until smooth. 1 bag (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons butter
Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn Stir in crushed peppermints. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn and stir to coat.
Yield: 8 cups Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely. When nonstick cooking spray
8 cups popped popcorn chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks. green decorating sugar
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips blue decorating sugar
1/2 cup white chocolate chips 1 tube white frosting
candy sprinkles small, colorful candies such as sprinkles and miniature
silver dragees
Line baking sheet with wax paper. Spread popcorn in thin Place popcorn in large bowl.
layer on prepared pan. In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir marshmallows and butter
Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
on medium 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave in Stir in vanilla extract.
additional 10-second increments, stirring after each heating, Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly.
until chips are melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn. Line baking sheet with foil.
Place white chocolate chips in separate microwave-safe Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray then scoop about 1 cup popcorn mixture.
bowl. Microwave on medium 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, Shape mixture into cone, keeping base flat to form tree.
microwave in additional 10-second increments, stirring after Sprinkle tree with decorating sugars; place tree on baking sheet.
each heating, until chips are melted and smooth. Drizzle Make nine additional trees.
over popcorn. Using decorating tip, pipe frosting on trees to make garland then decorate
Sprinkle desired amount of candy sprinkles over warm with sprinkles and silver dragees, as desired.
chocolate-coated popcorn. Serving suggestion: Place each tree on sugar cookie and decorate serving tray
Allow chocolate drizzles to set until firm. Break popcorn with shredded coconut to resemble snow.
into pieces. Notes: For best flavor and color, start recipe with unflavored white popcorn.
You can make colored sugar by adding food coloring to sugar then stirring in
Note: Chocolate chips can be replaced with cut up chocolate bowl or shaking vigorously in sealed container. Add additional food coloring for
bars. Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn
Festive Popcorn Trees more intense tones.