Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

Want a delicious snack to munch on while you're watching you favorite holiday movie?  Maybe you're looking for a quick and easy gift to give to give to your neighbors?  This Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn looks gourmet but is made in the microwave in less than 10 minutes.

 Pop 2 bags of microwave popcorn.

 Here's a little trick:  Place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet.

 Now dump your pop popcorn on top.  Give it a little shake

 viola! all the kernels fall below.  Now put the kernel free popcorn into a large bowl.

  In a medium size, microwave safe bowl, place a 1/2 cup butter

a 1/2 cup firmly pack brown sugar

and 1 cup of mini marshmallows.

 Microwave on high for 2 minutes.

 It should look like this.

 Whisk it all together 

 until its nice and smooth.

 Now pour the caramel mixture over the top of your popcorn.  I like to pour with one hand and toss the popcorn around at the same time with the other.  Keep tossing the popcorn until it's evenly coated.

Unwrap a couple candy canes (or peppermint candies) and place it in a zip-up baggie

 crush the candy using a rolling pin. I crushed it pretty fine, but I think next time I'll leave some bigger pieces.

 Spread your caramel corn onto a piece of parchment paper.

Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate and 2 teaspoons of shortening together. 

 Using a spoon, drizzle chocolate all over your popcorn

 The last step is to sprinkle the crushed peppermint over the chocolate.  

Once the chocolate is set, break it into bite size pieces, put it in a bowl, and you're ready to go.

For neighbor gifts, this would be cute in a large cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon. 

Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

2 bags of microwave popcorn

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup mini marshmallows

candy canes or peppermint candies

1/2 cup chocolate chips

2 teaspoons shortening

Microwave the popcorn according to package directions.  Remove kernels. Place popcorn into a large bowl, and set aside. Combine the butter, sugar, and marshmallows in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Using a whisk, mix until smooth. Drizzle over popcorn, and stir until evenly coated.  

Spread caramel corn out on a piece of parchment paper. 

Place peppermint candies in a small baggie, and crush with a rolling pin.  

Melt the chocolate chips and shortening together until smooth.  

Using a spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate all over the popcorn.  Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.  Once chocolate is set, break into bite size pieces.