’Tis the season for festive treats! And what's a better way to get into the holiday spirit than by whipping up a batch of Christmas gourmet popcorn?
Not only is it delicious, but this recipe is also incredibly easy to put together and requires minimal fuss.
Bundle up cellophane bags with a Holiday ribbon for gourmet popcorn gifts to give to friends & family. For more gift giving ideas see our Homemade Peppermint Patties, White Chocolate Peppermint Bark, and 3 Minute Fudge.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Our delicious gourmet popcorn recipe incorporates some holiday flavors to make a festive snack you won't soon forget! From the party-perfect presentation to its holiday blend of ingredients, this delicious treat is sure to be enjoyed by all who try it.
In no time at all, you'll have your very own homemade Christmas classic that everyone will love!
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Ingredients
Our festive treat combines salty and sweet flavors in one mouthwatering mix that is sure to leave everyone asking for seconds!
But don’t worry – I won't just give you the ingredients for this gourmet popcorn; I'll break down each step of the recipe so that even novice cooks can make this yummy Christmas treat with ease.
- Red and Green M&M candies.
- Popped popcorn (you can also purchase it already popped in bags).
- Mini salted pretzel knots.
- White or ivory candy melts.
- Peppermint extract.
- Baking sprinkle decor or choice. Shown is Grinch green and Christmas red dragees and jimmies blends.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Gourmet Popcorn
Not only is it delicious, but this recipe for gourmet popcorn is also incredibly easy to put together and requires minimal fuss. Follow along with our tutorial and you’ll have delicious snack time goodies that all your friends and family will love in no time at all!
Step 1. Pop Some Popcorn
Either pop some popcorn kernels, or purchase one of those big bags or popped corn. Spread it out into a 9" x 13" baking pan.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Add Sweet & Salty Treats
Now, add in the salted mini pretzels. Toss in the red and green M&M's. You can also opt for Holiday Peanut M&M's if you want to take this to the extra level!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Drizzle with Peppermint White Chocolate
Using a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate candy wafers with an initial 30 second burst of heat, stir, then zap again in 15 second intervals until smooth.
Add in the peppermint extract and stir to smooth. Drizzle over the pan of popcorn, pretzels, and M&M's.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 4. Add the Dragees & Jimmies
Sprinkle in the red and green dragee and jimmy mixes while the peppermint flavored white chocolate is still unset.
Walmart sells these in small bags, and they are not very expensive! Look in the baking section where they have the cake decor items.
Give your Christmas gourmet popcorn a nice toss to distribute the white chocolate and the decorations. When set up firm, store in a metal tin, bowl, or bundle up in gifts for friends and family.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Wouldn't your friends and family just love a Christmas popcorn gift? Dollar Tree and Walmart both sell clear cellophane bags for cookies and candy. Tie a festive ribbon at the top, and surprise those special people like the hardworking UPS guy, your child's school teacher, etc.
Grab a cup of our Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, or mix up a bowl of our Hot Cocoa Dip to finish off your movie night event!
You will find more recipes suited for family Holiday love and gift giving to friends. See our Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Sea Salt Chocolate Almond Clusters, and Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark. Any or all will make fabulous Christmas gifts!
Substitutions
Substitute popping kernels for pre popped corn sold in big bags. Use any decorating sprinkles you already have, they come in so many designs! Even Dollar Tree sells small packs of cupcake decorating sprinkles!
You can also substitute white chocolate chips for the white candy melts.
Variations
Do you see how you can do variations with this gourmet popcorn recipe? Imagine the possibilities!
- Valentine's Gourmet Popcorn - Change the red & green theme to red & pink, using the Valentine colored M&M's that come out each year.
- St. Patricks Gourmet Popcorn - Use green M&M's.
- Halloween Gourmet Popcorn - Switch out the white chocolate candy melts for milk or dark chocolate candy melts. Toss in the Halloween themed M&M's.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. For this recipe, a microwave safe bowl to melt the candy melts, a spatula, a bowl, and a 9" x 13" baking pan is all that is needed.
Storage
After the chocolate has hardened in the baking pan of drizzled gourmet popcorn, break it up and store in a metal tin or an air tight plastic tub.
Tips for Success
- Use the defrost setting to melt the candy melts or chocolate. It will slow the melting down with lower heat and prevent stiffening (seizing) or thickening.
- If the chocolate does get too thick, add a little shortening, butter, or coconut oil to check the seizing and thin it back out smooth again.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you store this popcorn in sealed bags, in metal tins or plastic tub, you should be able to make this up as much as 3 months ahead. Keep in a cool location.
No, don't freeze. The defrost period would cause some condensation, making the candy weep and the popcorn deflate.
Absolutely! Both candy wafers and chocolate chips work the same in this gourmet popcorn recipe.
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Christmas Gourmet Popcorn
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups popcorn already popped
- ½ cup white candy wafers or white chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ cup M&M candies, regular or peanut in red & green
- 2 oz pretzels mini knots
- 1 teaspoon sprinkles red
- 1 teaspoon sprinkles green
Instructions
- Either pop some popcorn kernels, or purchase one of those big bags or popped corn. Spread it out into a 9" x 13" baking pan.6 cups popcorn
- Now, add in the salted mini pretzels. Add the red and green M&M's. You can also opt for the Peanut M&M's if you want to take this to the extra level!2 oz pretzels, ½ cup M&M
- Using a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate candy wafers with an initial 30 second burst of heat, stir, then zap again in 15 second intervals until smooth. Add in the peppermint extract and stir to smooth. Drizzle over the pan of popcorn, pretzels, and M&M's.½ cup white candy wafers, ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Sprinkle in the red and green dragee and jimmy mixes while the peppermint flavored white chocolate is still unset.1 teaspoon sprinkles, 1 teaspoon sprinkles
- Give your Christmas gourmet popcorn a nice toss to distribute the white chocolate and the decorations. When set up firm, store in a metal tin, bowl, or bundle up in gifts for friends and family.
Notes
- Use the defrost setting to melt the candy melts or chocolate. It will slow the melting down with lower heat and prevent stiffening (seizing) or thickening.
- If the chocolate does get too thick, add a little shortening, butter, or coconut oil to check the seizing and thin it back out smooth again.
Nutrition
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