Holiday Popcorn Treats

During a holiday season that may not quite feel the same for many families, you can add a special touch to at-home festivities with treats that get everyone involved. Creating decorative holiday sweets allows little ones and grown-ups alike to take part in the fun, and the end result is delicious desserts for all to enjoy.

Start with freshly popped popcorn. At 30 calories a cup, it’s naturally low in fat, non-GMO, and gluten-free for a nutritious alternative to traditional holiday indulgences.

Coconut Popcorn Snowballs

Yield: 8 balls (4 inches)

• 2 cups shredded or flaked
• sweetened coconut
• nonstick cooking spray
• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• or margarine
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract
• 8  candy canes or candy cane sticks (about 3-4 inches)

1. Place large sheet wax or parchment paper over the work surface. Spread coconut on paper.
2. Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows until melted and mixture is smooth.
4. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.
5. Spray hands with cooking spray and press mixture firmly to form into balls. Place balls on coconut; roll and press coconut to coat. While holding popcorn balls, gently press a candy cane into each ball.
6. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage.

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Holiday Popcorn Snowmen

Yield: 5 snowmen

• 1 package (1 pound) large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, plus additional for greasing hands
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 10 cups popped popcorn
• sprinkles (optional)
• licorice (optional)
• gumdrops (optional)
• cinnamon candies (optional)

1. In a large saucepan, melt marshmallows and 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and stir. Butter hands well and form into balls.
3. Decorate with sprinkles, licorice, gumdrops, and cinnamon candies, if desired.

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Chocolate Popcorn Reindeer

Servings: 8

• 8  cups unsalted, unbuttered,
• popped popcorn
• 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1/2  cup chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips
• 2  tablespoons butter or light olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 16 pretzel sticks
• 16 eyeball candies
• 8 red candy-coated
• chocolate candies

1. Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat marshmallows, chocolate, butter, and salt, stirring often, until smooth. Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn until well combined.
3. Scoop 3/4 cup popcorn mixture into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make eight balls. Place each ball in a paper muffin cup liner.
4. Insert one pretzel stick on each side of the ball to resemble antlers, attach two eyeball candies for “eyes” and one red chocolate candy for “nose.” Repeat with the remaining balls. Let cool completely.

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Jingle Balls

Yield: 12 cups

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups mini marshmallows
• 1/2  teaspoon peppermint extract assorted colored sugars

1. Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Add popcorn.
2. Spread plastic wrap on cookie sheet; set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows; stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. 3. Pour over popcorn, mixing until well coated. Let cool 2 minutes.
4. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and form popcorn mixture into 3-inch balls. Gently press colored sugar onto balls. Let sit on prepared cookie sheet until cool and set.