Candy Cane Popcorn Recipe

Candy Cane Popcorn is the ultimate gourmet popcorn. We love to enjoy all the holiday treats during Christmas time and this is always on the list. It is the perfect treat to make for gifts or for movie night.

This peppermint popcorn is The Best Christmas Dessert Recipe. If you love peppermint flavored desserts, then you may also love these Candy Cane Cookies.

Why We Love This Recipe

My kids and I love to enjoy a cup of Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate as we are watching Christmas Movies. Now we can enjoy this White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn as the perfect snack. The simple ingredients makes this popcorn so delicious.

It is easy to make and always a family favorite.

Ingredients

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Easy Additions

• Peppermint Candies – You can use the larger candy canes or regular peppermint instead of the mini peppermint candy canes. Just make sure they have been crushed into bite size pieces.
• Sprinkles – Sprinkles are always a great addition to this popcorn. You can keep it with the holiday theme or use multi-color sprinkles.
• Melted Chocolate – Drizzle the top with melted milk chocolate for a fun and delicious twist to this popcorn. You can also change the white chocolate and use milk chocolate.
• Nuts – Chopped nuts add a crunchy texture this popcorn. You can use chopped peanuts, sliced almonds, or crushed walnuts. All options are always a family favorite.
• Pretzels – Break up some pretzels and mix it with the popcorn. It adds flavor to this sweet and salty mixture.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 – Pop approximately 10 cups of popcorn and place it on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.  You will likely need 2 baking sheets.

Step 2 – Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat in 20 second intervals in the microwave, stirring after heat interval until melted and combined. Stir in approximately ½ cup of the crushed candy canes.

Step 3 – Pour the melted white chocolate mixture over the popcorn.  Toss the popcorn to thoroughly coat it with the milk chocolate mixture.

Step 4 – Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes pieces on top of the popcorn. Let the popcorn sit at room temperature until the white chocolate hardens.  Then break the popcorn into pieces and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Popcorn – I used microwave popcorn for this recipe, but you can definitely use whichever is your favorite! Feel free to use store bought popcorn or air popper popcorn if you prefer.
• Plain Popcorn – We recommend using plain popcorn for this recipe. But if you prefer, feel free to use butter popcorn. Make sure to remove any of the popcorn kernels before coating the popcorn.
• Chocolate – Instead of melting white chocolate, use white candy melts. Candy melts come in fun colors, so feel free to drizzle the popcorn with a fun color.
• Breaking Up the Candy – The best way we found to crush the candy canes is by placing in a ziplock and crushing with a rolling pin. This allows you get crush the candy to what you prefer and it doesn’t cause that big of a mess. But you can also use a food processor.

How to Store Candy Cane Popcorn

Candy Cane Popcorn is easy to store. Simply place in an airtight container and leave at room temperature.

We like to keep a holiday container out for the holiday so my family snack on the popcorn.

How Long will it Last

We recommend serving the popcorn within about 2 to 3 days of making it. It will last about a week if stored properly, but it could become soggy.