Holiday Popcorn

The rush of Christmas and Channukkah cooking and baking might be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop looking for new recipes or sharing them with you. After all, New Year’s is super soon, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and, if you want to be super traditional, the 12 days of Christmas don’t even end until January 6! So while we wish we’d found it earlier, we still want to share this delightful and simple Holiday Popcorn with you!

What makes it “Holiday” Popcorn, we hear you ask? Well, this dish – also known to many as “Moose Munch”! – mixes regular popcorn with the perfect mix of sweet and crunchy for a result that’s appetizer, snack and dessert all rolled into one. There’s caramel, there’s chocolate, there’s pretzels and nuts, and, of course, the popcorn. Just like the holidays bring people together, this Holiday Popcorn brings the best ingredients together, in an easy-to-do way.

So what are you waiting for?! Watch us whip some up, then read on for the full instructions so you can enjoy it ASAP!

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Holiday Popcorn

Makes 10 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 10 cups popped popcorn (1 bag of microwave popcorn), no butter or salt
  • 1-½ cups mixed nuts (or your favorite nut), toasted
  • 1 cup broken pretzel twists
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Salt, to taste (optional)
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius). Line 1 large or 2 smaller baking sheets with foil or a silicon baking mat.
  2. To the lined baking sheet(s), add the popped popcorn, the nuts, and the broken pretzel twists. Set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until thoroughly mixed. Bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a boil, stirring continuously. Cook the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add the vanilla extract and cook for 1 additional minute.
  5. Add the baking soda and stir well to combine. The caramel will change colors and foam up a bit.
  6. Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn mixture. Use a spoon or spatula to gently combine the popcorn mixture with the caramel, until everything is evenly coated. Season the popcorn with salt, if using, while the caramel is still warm.
  7. Place the baking sheet(s) in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow the popcorn mixture to cool until the caramel coating has set.
  9. Once cool, break the popcorn into small clusters.
  10. In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips in 20 second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  11. Add ¼ to ⅓ of the coated and cooled popcorn to a bowl, drizzle with the melted chocolate and gently mix to coat.
  12. Spread the chocolate-coated popcorn onto a lined baking sheet and allow to cool until the chocolate sets.
  13. Add the chocolate-coated popcorn to the caramel-coated popcorn and mix to combine. Serve.
  14. Store in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag.

And there we are: a simple, tasty snack that’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty and crunchy! Put some bowls of this around your home for your New Year’s party, pack some up in little boxes for Valentine’s Day gifts, or simply enjoy yourself during the rest of these winter months. Whenever you eat it, the mix of chocolate, caramel, popcorn, pretzels and nuts is sure to lift your spirits.

So what do you think of our Holiday Popcorn? Do you know it by the name “moose munch,” or do you call it by another name? What other toppings and/or mixers do you enjoy on and/or with your popcorn to make it extra special? Tell us if you give this version a try and be sure to let us know what you think of it!