TASTE: POP YOU WAY INTO THE HOLIDAYS!

FAMILY FEATURES – ’Tis the season to bring family and friends together for some festive fun. When it comes to decorating and hosting parties, popcorn can make it easy to create edible decor for the dessert table, parting gifts for loved ones and munchable snacks to enjoy all the while.

For example, these Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats and Cranberry Popcorn Balls join forces for a dashingly decorative and delicious dessert that show off your festive side. Whether you use the popcorn balls as centerpieces at the dinner table or to send with guests as individually wrapped party favors, they’re a cinch to make and perfect for sharing. The miniature wreaths offer a tasty partner, doing double duty as decor and treats for you (and your guests) to enjoy – both with your eyes and your taste buds.

Or, spend a snowy afternoon nestled in a warm kitchen with your little ones making these Festive Popcorn Trees, which offer the best of both worlds. These charming, edible trees allow you time together while encouraging creativity as your kids decorate their own popcorn masterpieces, adding a whimsical touch to your holiday table.

Visit popcorn.org to find more holiday recipe inspiration from decor to desserts.

CRANBERRY POPCORN BALLS

• 2 cups sugar

• 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed

• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel

• 1/2 cup cranberry juice

• 1/2 cup light corn syrup

• 1 teaspoon vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 5 quarts unsalted popped popcorn

HOLIDAY WREATH POPCORN TREATS

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 3 quarts popped popcorn

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

• 3 cups miniature marshmallows

• 3 tablespoons (1/2 of 3-ounce box) lime gelatin dessert mix

• Small red candies

• Jelly beans

• Red fruit leather

To make cranberry popcorn balls: In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cranberry sauce, orange peel, cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Bring to boil; lower heat and cook to 250 F on candy thermometer. Mixture will bubble in pan so watch to keep from boiling over.

Pour mixture slowly onto hot popcorn and mix until well-coated. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.

To make holiday wreath popcorn treats: Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.

Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and press firmly to form popcorn mixture into 9-inch logs then bend to form “wreaths.” Place “wreaths” on wax paper. Press candy pieces and jelly beans onto wreath to decorate; add “ribbon” cut from fruit leather. 

FESTIVE POPCORN TREES

Yield: 10 trees

• 10 cups air-popped popcorn

• 1 bag (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Nonstick cooking spray

• Green decorating sugar

• Blue decorating sugar

• 1 tube white frosting with decorating tip

• Assorted small colorful candies, such as sprinkles

• Miniature silver dragees

• Sugar cookies, for serving (optional)

• Shredded coconut, for serving (optional)

Place popcorn in large bowl.

In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir marshmallows and butter until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract.

Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly.

Line baking sheet with foil. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray then scoop about 1 cup popcorn mixture. Shape mixture into cone, keeping base flat. This forms one tree. Sprinkle tree with green and blue decorating sugars; place tree on baking sheet. Repeat to make additional trees.

Pipe frosting on trees to make garland then decorate with colorful candies and miniature silver dragees.

Serving suggestion: Place each tree on sugar cookie, if desired, and decorate serving tray with shredded coconut to resemble snow.