FAMILY FEATURES
‘Tis the season to bring family and friends together for some festive fun. When it comes to decorating and hosting parties, popcorn can make it easy to create edible decor for the dessert table, parting gifts for loved ones and munchable snacks to enjoy all the while.
For example, these Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats and Cranberry Popcorn Balls join forces for a dashingly decorative and delicious dessert that shows off your festive side. Whether you use the popcorn balls as centerpieces at the dinner table or to send with guests as individually wrapped party favors, they’re a cinch to make and perfect for sharing. The miniature wreaths offer a tasty partner, doing double duty as decor and treats for you (and your guests) to enjoy — both with your eyes and your taste buds.
Visit: popcorn.org to find more holiday recipe inspiration from decor to desserts.
Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats and Cranberry Popcorn Balls
Yield: 8 wreaths and 18 balls
Cranberry Popcorn Balls:
2 cups sugar
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 quarts unsalted popped popcorn
Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats:
Nonstick cooking spray
3 quarts popped popcorn
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
3 cups miniature marshmallows
3 tablespoons (1/2 of 3-ounce box) lime gelatin dessert mix
small red candies
jelly beans
red fruit leather
To make cranberry popcorn balls: In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cranberry sauce, orange peel, cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Bring to boil; lower heat and cook to 250 F on candy thermometer. Mixture will bubble in pan so watch to keep from boiling over.
Pour mixture slowly onto hot popcorn and mix until well-coated. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.
To make holiday wreath popcorn treats: Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.
In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.
Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and press firmly to form popcorn mixture into 9-inch logs then bend to form “wreaths.” Place “wreaths” on wax paper. Press candy pieces and jelly beans onto wreath to decorate; add “ribbon” cut from fruit leather.
Source: Popcorn Board
Single-serve seasonal sweets
CULINARY.NET
Instead of assigning cake cutting duty at your holiday party, let dessert serve itself with these Mini Pecan Cheesecakes from “Cookin’ Savvy.” Individually wrapped for ease and convenience — or for giving as parting gifts — they’re a rich and delicious holiday treat. Find more festive desserts at Culinary.net.
Mini Pecan Cheesecakes
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 20 mini cheesecakes
1 package plain round shortbread cookies
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sour cream
1 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup crushed pecans
Heat oven to 325 F.
In muffin pan, fill each hole with paper cupcake liners. Place one cookie in bottom of each cup.
Whisk flour and sugar. Mix in cream cheese. Using hand mixer, blend in eggs one at a time then add vanilla and sour cream. Mix until smooth then spoon on top of cookies.
Mix butter, brown sugar and crushed pecans. Spoon on top of cheesecake mixture.
Bake 25 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Source: Culinary.net
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