Peppermint Popcorn Crunch

 

How about a holiday treat that you can whip up in 5 minutes?  Seriously.
It's time for some Peppermint Popcorn Crunch.

This little Christmas treat is perfect to bag and give to teachers, neighbors...or even just to set out in a big bowl for snacking.  It won't last long.

Peppermint Popcorn Crunch meets all of your daily nutritional requirements: fiber (popcorn), energy (sugar), antioxidants (chocolate), breath freshener (mint) and fun (sprinkles).   See?  It's pretty much a health food.

Here's what you're going to do.

Pop popcorn.  Here's how I make perfect popcorn on the stove.  You can use micorwaved popcorn; I'd stay away from white cheddar flavor...just something nice and salty.  Fish out most of the unpopped kernels.  Lay it out on 1 or 2 large rimmed cookie sheet/s.

Toss with a little melted butter and salt.

Melt the candy cane candy melts.

Pour over the popcorn.

Toss with the *mint* M&Ms and sprinkles.

{It's going to get messy.}

At this point, I divided the mixture onto 2 cookie sheets to let dry.  Set aside until the candy melts have set.

Bag up and give away.  Or stand at your kitchen counter and eat it all yourself.  After eating a good portion, I still had enough left for about 7-8 treat bags full.

Peppermint Popcorn Crunch
{inspired by Nest of Posies Valentine Confetti}

1 batch stove-popped popcorn or 2 bags microwave popcorn
2 TBSP salted butter, melted
2 pinches kosher salt
1 bag candy cane candy melts
1 (11.40 ounce) bags MINT M&M's, or if you can just find the small bags, eyeball it
Christmas sprinkles

Pop the popcorn.  Pour onto a large, rimmed cookie sheet.  Fish out as many unpopped kernels as possible.  Toss with the melted butter and salt.

In a glass bowl, melt the candy melts on 50% power for 1 minute, then for 30 second intervals, stirring between each time until melted.  Pour over the popcorn and toss.

Add about a bag and a half of the mint M&M's and a handful of Christmas sprinkles.  Toss.

Spread the mixture out on 2 cookie sheets until the candy melts have set.

Bag and give...or just plop it in a big bowl, plop yourself on the couch, and eat.

If you're the planning type, file away this same idea to make "Bunny Bait."

That's it!  Five minute Peppermint Popcorn Crunch.  You deserve it.