Each year after Christmas I get several boxes of candy canes for only ten cents each. I use them for everything from recipes like the ones below to decorating the house, the Christmas tree and anything else I can.
Peppermint Popcorn Bark
2 bags microwave popcorn, popped (18-20 cups)*
1 (6 oz.) box candy canes, crushed**
1 package almond bark
1 tsp. peppermint extract
After the popcorn is popped and the hulls are removed, place it in a very large bowl. Add crushed candy canes. Melt the almond bark according to the package instructions. Add the peppermint extract to the almond bark and then pour over the popcorn, stirring until everything is coated. Pour the mixture onto the wax paper and allow it to harden. Break into pieces and eat. (Yum!)
*Before putting the popped corn into the bowl, I either carefully lift if out of the bags a handful at a time or pour it on a counter or table top and then scoop it into the bowl. I do this to make sure I don’t get any hulls or unpopped corn in the bowl. I hate it when I’m eating popcorn balls and similar snacks and find myself biting down on a hull.
** You can crush the candy with a rolling pin or in a food processor.
Peppermint Cupcakes
Sometimes we forget that even the simplest things can have a big impact. This time of year, no matter what our age, if a snack has sugar in it and looks like Christmas, then we love it. This really isn’t a recipe as much as some simple ideas.
Stick a couple of peppermint sticks or candy canes in your favorite regular frosted cupcake. You could use red frosting with this if you like but white is also great because it looks like snow. I suggest crisscrossing the peppermint sticks just to add to the look. You could even make some small signs to stick on the cupcakes that say “North Pole”.
This is great with chocolate cupcakes, too. Peppermint and chocolate go so well together. These might even be nice for a more formal adult party.
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