Christmas Popcorn – Festive Holiday Treat

This Christmas Popcorn is a fun, sweet-and-salty snack that’s perfect for holiday movie nights, snack tables, or gifting. With crunchy popcorn coated in rich white chocolate, bright red and green candies, and festive sprinkles, it’s simple to make but looks and tastes wonderfully celebratory.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick assembly — no complicated steps or long bake times.
• Sweet and salty flavor combination is always a crowd-pleaser.
• Bright seasonal colors make it visually festive and fun.
• Easy to customize — change the candy, drizzle or sprinkles to match any theme.
• Great for parties, gift bags, or cozy family snacking.

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Recipe Details

• Prep Time: ~10 minutes
• Set / Chill Time: ~10–15 minutes (while chocolate hardens)
• Total Time: ~20–25 minutes
• Yield: ~10–12 cups of popcorn mix
• Category: Dessert / Snack
• Method: Popcorn + drizzle + mix
• Diet: Vegetarian
• Keywords: Christmas popcorn, festive snack mix, holiday popcorn

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• 8–10 cups of popped popcorn (remove un-popped kernels)
• 12 oz white chocolate (or white candy melts)
• ½ cup red & green M&M’s (or similar seasonal candy)
• Pretzels (optional, for salty crunch)
• Red and green sprinkles (or holiday-themed sprinkles)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Base
   Spread your popped popcorn onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If using, mix in pretzel pieces for extra salty crunch.
2. Melt the Chocolate
   In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate (or candy melts) in 20– to 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst, until smooth and pourable.
3. Coat the Popcorn
   Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn and pretzels. Gently toss with a spatula (or clean hands) so the chocolate coats most of the popcorn.
4. Decorate
   Immediately sprinkle the red & green candies and holiday sprinkles over the warm popcorn while the chocolate is still soft, so they stick.
5. Set & Break Into Clusters
   Let the popcorn rest at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes, until the chocolate hardens and the pieces stick together. Once set, break into smaller clusters for serving or packaging.

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You Must Know

• Make sure you remove any un-popped kernels before coating — they can be a choking hazard.
• Work quickly when drizzling and sprinkling so the toppings stick while the chocolate is still warm.
• If your white chocolate is too thick, add a small amount of neutral oil to thin it for easier drizzling.
• Break the set popcorn gently to avoid smashing it — you want pretty, bite-sized clusters.

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Storage Tips

• Store the popcorn clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• To keep it crisp, avoid high humidity or closing the container when it’s still warm.
• For gift-giving, package in cellophane bags or clear boxes tied with ribbon.

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Ingredient Substitutions

• Use milk or dark chocolate instead of white if you prefer a richer flavor.
• Swap M&M’s for candy cane bits, chocolate chips or nuts.
• Use seasonal sprinkles (snowflakes, gold stars) instead of red/green for a different holiday theme.
• Make it gluten-free: use gluten-free pretzels and check that candy melts are gluten-free.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve in a large bowl for holiday movie nights.
• Fill mini treat bags or popcorn boxes for party favors.
• Add to a dessert buffet alongside cookies, fudge, and truffles.
• Pair with hot cocoa, cider or eggnog for a cozy holiday snack pairing.

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Pro Tips

• Use a large sheet pan to spread out the popcorn so your drizzle evenly coats.
• Use a spoon or a squeeze bottle for the chocolate drizzle to control how much goes on.
• If you want clean clusters, refrigerate lightly before breaking — this helps chocolate solidify.
• For extra flair, drizzle an additional color (like green or red) over the first layer once it’s set.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — you can make and set the popcorn, then store it in airtight containers for a couple of days.

→ Why is my popcorn sticky the next day?
Moisture could be the culprit — make sure everything is fully cooled before storing, and keep in a dry place.

→ Can I use microwave popcorn?
Yes, but use a version that is lightly salted or plain. Avoid flavored or butter-heavy varieties for best coating.

→ How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking when it sets?
Let the coated popcorn cool slowly at room temperature if possible — rapid temperature changes can cause cracking.

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✨ This Christmas Popcorn is a magical snack — crunchy, festive, and utterly snackable. It’s simple to make, easy to share, and sure to delight everyone who tries it.

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