Why you should make this peppermint bark popcorn
- You can make one huge batch and have TONS to share and pack up. I hate slaving over beautiful cookies and only having enough for a couple plates.
- It’s super quick and easy to make and also inexpensive and requires minimal ingredients.
- It lasts for several days, so you can make it early and not be rushed to pass it out if you need some time.
- It packs well, so you can put it in bags or cups or a big bowl or any cute container for sharing.
- Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE goes crazy for this stuff.
mushroom popcorn
Before I show you how to make this, I’m going to tell you about one of my best kept secrets! You know how when you buy a gourmet popcorn mix the popcorn itself is huge and puffy and doesn’t look anything like the regular popcorn you use? It’s called mushroom popcorn! It has nothing to do with mushrooms other than the shape. Check this out:
See how perfectly round and HUGE it is?? It is THE best for making caramel corn or popcorn mixes like this one and will make it look super gourmet! I buy mine from Amazon, this has been my favorite brand so far with the highest ratio of mushroom kernels. Seriously it’s amazing!
You can also use a bag of microwave popcorn. If you’re doing that I suggest looking for one that’s “natural” or just lightly salted so you don’t get a weird yellow color.
how to make it
Once your popcorn is popped and ready, melt some almond bark according to the package directions. Almond bark has no almonds in it, it’s simply a white candy coating- similar to white chocolate only it melts much better.
While that’s melting, you can smash up some candy canes. Unwrapping the candy canes to crush them is the most labor intensive step of this easy treat, so you can do that ahead of time if you want to. I put my candy canes in a large zip-lock bag and have a whack with a heavy marble rolling pin or my meat mallet. Put your bag on top of a kitchen towel to make it easier. You can also use those round peppermint candies. Either dump them in with your popcorn, or I toss them right on top of my melted almond bark.
You’ll also add in some peppermint extract, or peppermint oil. Extract can sometimes seize up the almond bark just a little, but it shouldn’t be a problem. Just stir it around quick and pour it over the popcorn and start tossing.
Stir everything until it’s well coated and then pour it out onto a piece of waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Spread it out into an even layer. If it’s cold outside, I set this out on my porch to harden up while I mix up the last step. While the popcorn is setting, place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. I really like dark chocolate to counter-balance the sweetness of the almond bark, but I know there’s a lot of dark haters, so do what you want! Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn. You can use a fork, or put it in a zip-lock bag with the corner cut off.
Leave it until the almond bark and the chocolate is hardened. If you need to hurry it up, do this whole process on lined cookie sheets you can pop in the fridge.When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks. Toss in a bowl, a jar, a cute package, or in your mouth, and done!
Peppermint Bark Popcorn
Description
Makes a deliciously huge batch — perfect to give around the holidays!
Ingredients
- 16 C popped popcorn* (fresh, or about 2 bags microwave popcorn)
- 1 lb almond bark
- 1 6 ounce box candy canes, crushed (about 1 generous cups, Bob’s brand are best!)
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil or 2 teaspoons peppermint extract**
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.
- Melt almond bark according to package instructions. When completely melted, add extract or peppermint oil. If using extract, it’s normal for the almond bark to seize (get lumpy) which is okay, just stir very quickly, the more you wait the more it will seize.
- Pour melted almond bark mixture over popcorn and pour crushed candy canes on top. Stir to evenly coat. Pour popcorn out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil and spread out.
- Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let mixture dry completely until chocolate and almond bark are hardened. You may place in the fridge to speed process along.
- When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks. Toss in a bowl, a jar, a cute package, or in your mouth!
Notes
Notes
- If you’re using microwave popcorn, try to find an unbuttered or “natural” kind because this looks much prettier if the popcorn isn’t bright yellow! Lightly salted is fine, I actually like a little salt in there, but avoid heavy buttered.
- Also, if you can find flavored oils, like you would use for candy making, use them as they will best combine with the almond bark. If using extract, it’s not unusual for it to cause the almond bark to seize, but just stir quickly and pour immediately on popcorn. Once distributed it will be just fine.
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I tried this out and it was surprising easy and SOOOO delicious! I am going to make more to give out as a gift.
Thanks! I went ahead and made it with my two bags and it was perfect…as well as a hit at the ward party. Every last bite was eaten! Thanks!
Christina- do you have the mini bags or something? The internet told me that a standard bag of microwave popcorn has 14 cups in it so I went with that. But I just looked and I have a few different brands and they all say 10 cups. So I’m gonna say that 10 cups is standard! Also, ironically I’m making this right now, so I measured and sure enough, exactly 10 cups. So I’m going to say you need 20 cups popped popcorn. Does that make sense? If you’re confused about the bags you have, just pop them and measure.
I’m confused. One BAG of popcorn has 14 cups?! Mine has 3.5 cups per bag. How many bags do I really need?
oooh, Thank you Jen! I was hoping someone would try it with the soft peppermints and tell me how it was!
YUM. I tried this tonight using the Bob’s soft peppermint balls and it turned out great! By the way, 40 balls = 1 1/2 cups crushed, if anyone else wants to use these.
Heather, one bag has about 14 cups. I should go add that to the post. I meant to, but I guess I forgot!
My microwave is on the fritz. It has a tendency to burn popcorn – not pretty. But sometimes it pops just right… Anyhow, how many cups of popcorn would that be?
I found the soft peppermint sticks on an endcap by the registers at Wal-Mart. Maybe you’ll have luck there. And thanks for this recipe!
I wish I liked peppermint and candy canes. Any suggestion for an alternative??
My mouth is watering
I made this tonight for family night treats! It was a big hit! I used milk chocolate for my drizzle and it was yummy!(I don’t buy semisweet or dark chocolate, I am a milk chocolate purist!)
Oh my. I don’t think I would be able to stop eating this once I started.
I just got done making this! It is soooo yummy!!! Thanks so much! I love your site!
I like to make homemade hot fudge sauce (for ice cream). I put in in small jars, and print a cute label to stick on it. This year I think I’ll try the popcorn. It looks cheaper!
Looks great! Welcome back for your Thanksgiving break!
i like to make a peppermint cream pie…but not really to give away…unless i take it to the ward christmas party lol! otherwise, i make it just for my christmas piggy…er, myself.
That looks AWESOME!!! Yum. I can’t wait to try it!
I am interested in trying this- I never mix popcorn and chocolate… BUT since Thanksgiving we had your Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, and the Focacia bread for Turkey leftovers yesterday.. (and all of them were HUGE hits) I will have to trust you and give this a try!
I swear, every single thing you guys post looks so good. I always feel like a dork because I always come here and comment: “I am gonna have to try this one…” but it is so true. Y.U.M. You guys are awesome!
This is something I will definitely be making to give to neighbors. Looks pretty too! thanks, Lisa k in tx
I have a fabulous cocoa recipe…it makes tons of dry cocoa. Then I put it in pint jars, screw a cute piece of holiday fabric into the lid, and voila! Easy peasy.
This popcorn looks so…pretty. And yummy, I’m sure.
This just looks too evil…. We might have to try it 🙂
I don’t really have a favorite treat to give away. This popcorn looks really yummy and festive. I will have to give it a try. I love easy and quick.
This is SO good!
All I can say is YUMMY!!!!
YAY My hero! Totally doing this for neighbour gifts!
Yummy! Thanks so much for starting off the season just right.
You never disappoint! Yum!
I love popcorn and peppermint. I’ve gotta try this! Thanks!