White Chocolate Cookie Popcorn

I saw this idea online a while ago, and thought that it would be a fun snack for my Hungry Puppies.  They love popcorn.  In fact, when I started making this, I popped the popcorn and they ate half of it so I had to start over.  This treat combines a little salty with a little sweet, and who doesn't like Oreos and chocolate chip cookie pieces?

White Chocolate Cookie Popcorn

1 bag butter flavored popcorn, popped and unpopped kernels removed!
6 Oreo cookies, finely chopped
3 large chocolate chip cookies, finely chopped
1 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and add the finely chopped cookies.  Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top and toss with a large spoon to coat evenly.  Spread the popcorn mixture on a piece of wax paper to cool completely.  Transfer to a gallon size ziplock bag and seal.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy

Fiddle Faddle

Fiddle Faddle is another one of our family's traditional Christmas treats. It's simple to make and so so delicious! My mom usually keeps it in a big Tupperware container with the lid tightly shut. As if that will stop us from gobbling it all up.

1 Cube Butter
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 Cube Margarine
1/2 C White Karo Syrup
4 qts Unsalted Popped Popcorn (about 3/4 C unpopped popcorn)

Combine butter, sugar, margarine, and syrup in a medium pot and cook over low-medium heat, stirring constantly, until it is a light caramel color. When it reaches 290° remove from heat and pour over popped popcorn. Stir and separate as it cools.

Mahlzeit!
-Coriaunty

White Chocolate Trail Mix

I decided that this year I would make my job easier, and not bake 16 different types of cookies for our Christmas treat tins.  I decided to make this trail mix to fill the tins and give away, thus also getting rid of it so that I don't find it residing in my stomach.  Sounds like a great way to make my life easier, huh?  Sure!  That is unless I make the trail mix and still bake 16 different types of cookies.  Tis the season for giving, though, and it is a good thing because if you don't give it away, you  my find this treat residing in your stomach as well.

White Chocolate Trail Mix

16 cups popped popcorn (1/2 cup + 2 heaping Tablespoons), unpopped kernels removed
3 cups whole grain cheerios (or any other flavor)
1 (14 ounce) package M&Ms
1 (12 ounce) bag butter spindle pretzels
1 (10 ounce) bag toffee bits
2 (12 ounces each) bags white chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons canola oil

In a very large bowl (you may need to divide between two bowls), combine the popcorn, cereal, M&Ms,  pretzels, and toffee bits.  Set aside.  In a medium bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and oil.  Microwave in 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted, stirring until smooth.  Pour melted chocolate over the popcorn mixture and toss to coat.  Immediately spread onto two baking sheets, or on sheets of wax paper.  Let stand until cool and dry, about 2 hours.  Store in an air-tight container.  Makes 37 servings (1-cup each).

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy

Cranberry-Orange Caramel Popcorn

I found this recipe several weeks ago and made it today on a whim. We had a snow storm over the weekend and are due for another tomorrow, so with all the snow it is really starting to feel like the Holidays. This recipe seemed like the perfect pre-Thanksgiving treat to munch.

The almonds aquire a nice toasty flavor, and you can taste a nice hint of orange wrapped up in all that caramel. My hungry puppies can't get enough. This recipe is modified slightly from one found in a Better Homes and Gardens digital magazine, found here.

Cranberry-Orange Caramel Corn

12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped)

1 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon orange zest

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 275F. In a very large bowl or roasting pan, combine the popped popcorn, cranberries, and sliced almonds. In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then add the orange zest. Continue to boil over medium heat for two minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda (the caramel will foam up).

Pour the caramel over the popcorn mixture in the bowl or roasting pan, and stir to coat well. Transfer to a 16x12x1 inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes and again at 20 minutes. Transfer the caramel corn to a large sheet of wax paper or greased foil, and cool completely. Store in a large airtight container at room temperature. Makes 20 (1/2 cup) servings.

Enjoy! -Cardamommy