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Santa’s reindeer called and they are tired of Santa getting cookies while they get carrots. They want some of this delicious M&M and sprinkle filled reindeer popcorn for Christmas!
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Sweet and Salty Reindeer Popcorn
Like every other kid on the planet, mine love putting out homemade cookies and milk for Santa every year by the fireplace. And like all parents I enjoy eating those cookies, especially when they are homemade! I have to say, I for one don’t enjoy taking a giant bite out of a raw carrot that they leave for the reindeer, especially when they leave one for each reindeer…
I devised this delicious sweet and salty reindeer popcorn as a way to keep Santa’s reindeer happy (aka my husband and I) and my kids love making it, its super simple! We like to make a big batch on Christmas Eve and enjoy it while watching a Christmas movie that evening all snuggled up together. This popcorn is great with Hot Cocoa!
How to make Reindeer Popcorn
First you will need to assemble the following ingredients:
- Salted popped popcorn – whether you pop it in the microwave or on the stovetop you want to use freshly popped popcorn that has been salted. A little salt goes a long way in balancing the sweetness of the candy melts and m&ms.
- Vanilla Candy Melts – I like to use candy melts instead of white chocolate since I find that they stick to the popcorn better and wont melt all over your hands as you are eating the popcorn. I used Wilton Candy Melts, they are available at most grocery and large retail stores.
- Christmas sprinkles – I love festive sprinkles, I use these, but you can use any you like!
- Festive M&Ms – since we are using candy melts it’s nice to get some real chocolate flavor and red and green M&Ms dop a great job of that while also adding a festive flair.
Once you have the ingredients, use the following method
Melt the Melts. Melt the vanilla candy melts in the microwave in 30 second intervals stirring frequently.
Drizzle and toss. Drizzle half the popcorn in the candy melts and then the other half making sure you coat well. Pour the mixture onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet or countertop and add the sprinkles and M&Ms tossing to coat evenly.
Set and enjoy. Let the popcorn sit for a few minutes so the candy melts can set. Once they are no longer wet to the touch break into pieces and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for perfect Reindeer Popcorn
If you want perfect results every time, check out our tips and FAQs below.
Let it set. You want to make sure you let the candy melts set before trying to eat the reindeer popcorn. If it isn’t allowed to set it will be really messy to eat and the M&Ms and sprinkles will fall off.
Don’t overmix. While you want to make sure the popcorn is well coated in the candy melts you dont want to overmix. If you overmix your candy melts will start to harden and the sprinkles and M&Ms won’t stick well.
Use nonstick. To make cleaning easier, its best to use parchment paper and a spatula. Candy melts will stick to wooden and metal surfaces and it’s much harder to clean the melts off them.
FAQs
If you have leftovers let it cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
What to enjoy with Reindeer Popcorn
Hot Chocolate: The creamy richness of hot chocolate complements the sweetness of the popcorn, making for a cozy and comforting combination.
Salty Nuts: Mixing in salty nuts like almonds, cashews, or peanuts can add a savory contrast to the sweetness of the popcorn.
Fruit Juice: A refreshing glass of your favorite fruit juice, such as apple or orange, can balance the sweetness with a tangy note.
Iced Tea: A cold, slightly bitter iced tea can provide a refreshing palate cleanser between handfuls of sweet popcorn.
Coffee: A hot cup of coffee, especially flavored ones like vanilla or caramel, pairs wonderfully with sweet popcorn for an indulgent treat.
Fruit Salad: A light and fresh fruit salad can add a healthy, refreshing element to your snacking session.
Cheese Plate: A selection of mild cheeses can offer a creamy texture and a subtle tangy taste that complements the sweetness.
Sparkling Water: Flavored or plain sparkling water is a great palate cleanser that can help balance the sweetness of the popcorn.
Wine: A sweet dessert wine or a sparkling wine can elevate your snacking to a more sophisticated level.
Craft Sodas: Artisanal sodas with unique flavors can add an interesting twist and enhance the overall snacking experience.
Milkshakes: A thick, creamy milkshake, particularly in flavors like vanilla or strawberry, makes for a decadent pairing.
Dark Chocolate: Small pieces of dark chocolate can provide a rich, bitter contrast to the sweet popcorn, creating a delightful taste sensation.
Check out some of my favorite Christmas recipes with your popcorn:
To see all our Christmas cookie recipes for Santa click here!
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Reindeer Popcorn
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 cups salted popped popcorn
- 1 12 oz bag Vanilla Candy Melts, I used Wilton Candy Melts
- Christmas sprinkles
- 1 10 oz bag green and red Milk Chocolate M&Ms
Instructions
- Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Drizzle half of melted candy melts over popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula.
- Drizzle remaining half of melted chips over popcorn, and gently stir mixture until evenly coated (don't over stir though or your sprinkles wont stick if the white chips begin to set and harden).
- Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper. Sprinkle the entire mixture evenly with sprinkles and M&Ms (as many as you'd like) before the candy melts cool and set.
- Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and enjoy!
