Christmas Popcorn: 13 Candy-Coated Holiday Mixes for Movie Nights, Gift Bags and Cookie Trays

Christmas popcorn was the smell of December in our house. My mother would pop a giant pot on the stove, spread it across every sheet pan we owned, and drizzle it with melted white chocolate while we argued over which holiday movie came first. Half went into cellophane bags tied with curling ribbon for the teachers, and the other half never made it past the couch. It is still one of the cheapest, happiest treats you can make for a crowd: one bag of kernels feeds the entire family. Here you will find candy-coated favorites, old-fashioned popcorn balls, oven caramel corn, cozy spiced batches, and even a savory bowl for the grown-ups. Pop a big batch, line those pans with parchment, and press play..

White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn With Red and Green Candies

This is the Christmas popcorn that shows up on every holiday cookie tray, and for good reason. Fluffy popcorn gets tossed in melted white chocolate, then showered with red and green candy-coated chocolates and festive sprinkles. Pick out any unpopped kernels first so nobody chips a tooth. Spread it thin on parchment so the chocolate sets fast and the pieces stay separate. Bag it up for neighbors, or pair it with our one-pan Christmas bar cookies for the ultimate sweet tray..

You will need: 12 cups popped popcorn, 12 oz white chocolate, 1 cup red and green candy-coated chocolates, 2 tbsp holiday sprinkles, 1/2 tsp salt

How to make it: 1. Spread popcorn on two parchment-lined sheet pans and remove unpopped kernels. 2. Sprinkle with salt. 3. Melt white chocolate in 30 second bursts, stirring until smooth. 4. Drizzle over the popcorn and toss gently. 5. Scatter the candies and sprinkles on top. 6. Let set 30 minutes, then break apart.

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

All the flavor of a peppermint bark tin, tossed through a big bowl of popcorn. Dark chocolate goes on first, white chocolate swirls on second, and crushed candy canes finish it off. The cool mint and salty popcorn are a perfect match. Crush the candy canes in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin so the pieces stay chunky. Store this in an airtight tin, because peppermint pulls moisture from the air. Would you also love homemade gifts in a jar?

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 6 oz dark chocolate, 6 oz white chocolate, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

How to make it: 1. Spread popcorn on a parchment-lined sheet pan. 2. Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over the popcorn. 3. Melt white chocolate, stir in peppermint extract, and drizzle on top. 4. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. 5. Chill 20 minutes, then break into clusters.

Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls

My grandpa used to hang these from the tree wrapped in wax paper, and we kids snuck them down one by one. Old-fashioned popcorn balls are just popcorn, sugar, corn syrup, and butter, shaped by hand while warm. Butter your hands well, and let the syrup cool for a minute so you do not burn your fingers. A drop of red or green food coloring makes them extra festive. Do you remember pioneer homemade gifts like these?

You will need: 12 cups popped popcorn, 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup light corn syrup, 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, food coloring optional

How to make it: 1. Put popcorn in a large buttered bowl. 2. Boil sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, and salt, stirring, until it reaches 250 F on a candy thermometer. 3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and coloring. 4. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat. 5. Cool 2 minutes, butter your hands, and shape into balls. 6. Wrap in wax paper.

Oven Caramel Corn

Baking caramel corn low and slow in the oven is the secret to that shatter-crisp coating you find at old county fairs. Butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup boil for a few minutes, then baking soda makes it foam up light so it spreads easily. Stir it every 15 minutes while it bakes. Spread it on parchment to cool, then break it up. It keeps for two weeks in a sealed tin. Would your family also go for chunky monster cookies?

You will need: 16 cups popped popcorn, 1 cup butter, 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 250 F and spread popcorn in two large roasting pans. 2. Boil butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt for 4 minutes without stirring. 3. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. 4. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat. 5. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. 6. Cool on parchment and break apart.

Gingerbread Spiced Caramel Corn

Take your caramel corn and give it a December twist with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This Christmas popcorn smells exactly like a gingerbread house baking in the oven. It is wonderful in gift jars tied with plaid ribbon. Use mild molasses so it does not taste bitter. A handful of toasted pecans makes it even more special. Will you bake old-country Christmas cookies to go with it this year?

You will need: 14 cups popped popcorn, 3/4 cup butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup mild molasses, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 250 F and spread popcorn in a large roasting pan. 2. Boil butter, brown sugar, molasses, corn syrup, and salt for 3 minutes. 3. Remove from heat and stir in spices and baking soda. 4. Pour over popcorn and toss well. 5. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. 6. Cool on parchment.

Sugar Cookie Christmas Popcorn

This one tastes like a sugar cookie fresh from the oven. White chocolate gets a drop of almond extract and vanilla, then crumbled sugar cookies and a confetti of sprinkles go on top. It is the Christmas popcorn I let the grandkids decorate, and it always looks joyful. Use crisp store cookies so the crumbs stay crunchy. This Christmas popcorn is perfect for a cookie swap table. Are you hosting a Christmas gifts in a mug this year?

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 10 oz white chocolate, 1/4 tsp almond extract, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup crumbled crisp sugar cookies, 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles

How to make it: 1. Spread popcorn on a parchment-lined sheet pan. 2. Melt white chocolate and stir in almond extract and vanilla. 3. Pour over popcorn and toss gently. 4. Top with cookie crumbs and sprinkles. 5. Let set 30 minutes, then break apart.

Homemade Kettle Corn

Sweet, salty, and crunchy, homemade kettle corn tastes just like the big copper kettles at the Christmas tree farm. The trick is adding the sugar with the kernels and shaking the pot constantly so it does not burn. Once the popping slows to a few seconds apart, pull it off the heat right away. Dump it into a big bowl and salt it while warm. It takes just ten minutes and makes a fine base for any Christmas popcorn on this list. Would your family love old fashioned Christmas tree ideas like this?

You will need: 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup popcorn kernels, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp salt

How to make it: 1. Heat oil in a large pot with 3 kernels over medium high heat until they pop. 2. Add remaining kernels and sugar, cover, and shake constantly. 3. When popping slows to 2 to 3 seconds apart, remove from heat. 4. Pour into a bowl immediately and sprinkle with salt. 5. Toss and cool a few minutes.

Cranberry Pistachio Christmas Popcorn

Red cranberries and green pistachios turn ordinary popcorn into a jewel-toned holiday mix. White chocolate holds it all together, and a little orange zest makes it taste bright and festive. It is pretty enough for a party bowl and simple enough to make during a nap. Chop the pistachios roughly so they stick to the chocolate. Pack this Christmas popcorn in clear jars to show off the colors, and add a bow for a teacher gift. Would it fit on a Christmas wreath appetizer platter?

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 10 oz white chocolate, 3/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup roasted pistachios chopped, 1 tsp orange zest

How to make it: 1. Spread popcorn on a parchment-lined sheet pan. 2. Melt white chocolate and stir in orange zest. 3. Drizzle over popcorn and toss gently. 4. Scatter cranberries and pistachios on top. 5. Let set 30 minutes and break apart.

Chocolate Drizzled Christmas Popcorn Mix

Sweet, salty, crunchy, and dangerously snackable, this Christmas popcorn mix is the first bowl to empty at every holiday party. Popcorn gets drizzled with both milk and white chocolate, then tossed with a few candy-coated chocolates. Add a handful of mini pretzels if you like a toasty crunch. Drizzle from a zip-top bag with the corner snipped for thin, pretty lines. Want more sweet-heat party bites for the snack table?

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 6 oz milk chocolate, 4 oz white chocolate, 1/2 cup red and green candy-coated chocolates, 1 cup mini pretzels optional

How to make it: 1. Spread popcorn (and pretzels, if using) on a parchment-lined sheet pan. 2. Melt milk chocolate and drizzle over the popcorn. 3. Melt white chocolate and drizzle on top. 4. Scatter the candies. 5. Let set 30 minutes, then break apart.

Molasses Popcorn Like the 1800s

Long before candy shops, families strung popcorn and coated it in a light molasses candy glaze to give as Christmas treats. This old recipe uses just light molasses, sugar, butter, and a little vinegar for balance. The flavor is deep, toasty, and not too sweet, like a piece of history in your hand. Use a candy thermometer and work quickly while the syrup is warm. Break it into clusters once it cools. Have you read about pioneer foods from Little House?

You will need: 12 cups popped popcorn, 1 cup molasses, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 250 F and spread popcorn in a buttered roasting pan. 2. Boil molasses, sugar, butter, vinegar, and salt, stirring, until it reaches 260 F. 3. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. 4. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat. 5. Bake 20 minutes, stirring once, then cool and break into clusters.

Savory Cheddar Christmas Popcorn

Not everyone wants sweets, so here is a savory bowl for the grown-ups at the party. Hot popcorn gets tossed in melted butter and a big shower of sharp cheddar cheese powder. It tastes like a cheese straw in every bite and disappears fast next to the cheese tray. Toss it while the popcorn is still warm so the cheese clings to every kernel. A pinch of smoked paprika finishes it. Would your guests also love golden arancini rice balls?

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 4 tbsp butter, 1/3 cup cheddar cheese powder, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt

How to make it: 1. Put warm popcorn in a big bowl. 2. Melt the butter and drizzle it over, tossing well. 3. Mix cheese powder, paprika, and salt. 4. Sprinkle over the popcorn in two additions, tossing between. 5. Serve right away or store airtight.

Christmas Popcorn Sampler Board

When you cannot pick just one flavor, make three small batches and set them out side by side. A bowl of caramel corn, a bowl of plain buttered popcorn and a bowl of cocoa dusted kernels turn into a Christmas popcorn bar that guests can mix themselves. Set out scoops and paper cones so everyone builds a custom bag. It is the cheapest dessert table you will ever host, and the kids love playing shop. Round out the table with Pittsburgh cookie table favorites and a big jug of cocoa.

You will need: 24 cups popped popcorn divided into 3 bowls, 1 batch oven caramel coating, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, paper cones or small bags

How to make it: 1. Make one third of the popcorn into oven caramel corn and let it cool. 2. Toss another third with melted butter and salt. 3. Toss the last third with butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. 4. Set the bowls side by side with scoops. 5. Let guests fill their own cones.

Cinnamon Candy Christmas Popcorn

Bright red and fiery sweet, this old-fashioned popcorn was a staple at small-town Christmas bazaars. Cinnamon red hot candies melt into a sugary syrup that coats every kernel in a glossy rosy red. It tastes like the cinnamon candies Grandma kept in her purse. Stir constantly while the candies melt so they do not scorch. Bake this Christmas popcorn briefly to dry it into a crisp candy coating. Would it look lovely beside snowball cookies?

You will need: 12 cups popped popcorn, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup cinnamon red hot candies, 1/4 tsp salt

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 250 F and spread popcorn in a roasting pan. 2. Melt butter, corn syrup, candies, and salt over medium heat, stirring until smooth and bubbling. 3. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat. 4. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. 5. Cool on parchment and break apart.