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Snowman Popcorn Snacks

I highly recommend the website, Disney Family Fun.  It is such a great resource for kid-approved crafts, activities, as well as recipes and it is where I found a fun recipe for my son’s preschool class.

Tree Trim Trail Mix

Inspired by the traditional holiday garland, this recipe turns a medley of good-for-you ingredients into a delicious cinnamon-scented treat. Boasting fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, it's wholesome enough to please parents and tasty enough to distract kids from all those candy canes.

Ingredients

  • 8 cups freshly popped corn
  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted at 350° for 5 minutes
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Pinch of baking soda
  • 1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 300°. Grease a large, rimmed baking sheet. Mix the popcorn and nuts in a large, well-oiled bowl.
  2. Bring the syrup, cinnamon, and salt to a boil in a small pot set over medium heat. Let the mixture boil for 4 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally. Turn off the heat and add the baking soda, stirring until the mixture is creamy. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir well.
  3. Spread the popcorn on the baking sheet and bake until it's dry to the touch, about 15 minutes. Let the popcorn cool for 20 minutes, then mix in the cranberries and serve.

    Did you know?

    Popcorn supplies the highest level of antioxidants of any whole-grain snack.

The mix was so light and delicious plus the maple syrup gave the popcorn a different and welcome taste from caramel corn.

I was making the snack for 24 so I doubled the recipe.  In hindsight, I should have tripled the recipe.  Because the servings were a little small, I added some graham crackers.

To sweeten the presentation, my son and I decorated the bags like snowmen.

I used cellophane bags from Hobby Lobby and topped them with a folded piece of colored paper.  (For you Stampin’ Up fans, I used the Top Note die cut with my Big Shot.)

Next, we added a paper nose (half of a heart shape), googly eyes, and a pom pom ball to cover the staple.

My son said they were a hit at his school because his friends liked to take off the eyes.  I will take that as a success.