Peppermint Popcorn

This holiday popcorn is extremely easy, extremely delicious and SO festive!!! I am so excited to share the recipe with you!! I have already made two huge batches and I plan to take two more huge batches to our family Christmas parties this weekend!!! I hope you love it!!! :)

Peppermint Popcorn

Ingredients

1 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
1 lb vanilla almond bark
2 tsp peppermint extract
1 pkg "bobs" regular sized peppermint candy canes (you could totally use another brand, I just used bob's because they were the cheapest!!)
1/2 bag milk chocolate chips

Pop the popcorn and put in a VERY large bowl-or two regular large bowls.  Crush the candy canes until they are in small pieces (you don't want them to be crushed into peppermint sand....just really small pieces.) I used my ninja food processor, but a meat mallet or rolling pin could work just fine as well if you put them in a ziplock bag. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over your bowl of dry popcorn. Melt the almond bark.  I melted mine in a double boiler on the stove, but this can be done in 30 second increments in the microwave as well.  Once it is all the way melted, add peppermint extract (the extract may look like it is crystalizing, but it will even out the more you stir it in).  Once mixed I added a few drops of red food coloring to make it a little more "festive" :) pour evenly over your popcorn and mix until each piece is coated evenly.  Lay out a large piece of wax paper, enough that you can pour the entire bowl of popcorn to make a large single layer on the counter. (I used tin foil because we were out of wax paper, and it worked just fine)  Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments.  Using a fork drizzle the popcorn with the chocolate.  Let the popcorn set and dry for about an hour-2 hours before using (it tastes heavenly when it is fresh on the counter, but it would not be the right consistency to serve in a bowl at a party....so taste away, but consider waiting the full amount of time before presenting it to your family-you could also put the wax paper on cookie sheets and put the popcorn in the freezer to hustle the process :) ) Once dry, break into chunks and serve in your favorite holiday bowl!!!

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!!!! :) 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

{this holiday goodness was brought to you by Ashley}