Keep kids engaged over the holidays in kitchen

Keeping kids busy and engaged can be challenging when stuck inside on cold wintery days. Try mixing up some holiday treats that’ll get them involved and flexing their creative muscles. And what better activity than the product at the end of the project being these yummy popcorn treats.

Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats

These lovely popcorn wreaths will make everything merry and bright!

Yield: Serves 8 (5-inch wreaths)

Ingredients:

• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons (1/2 of a 3-ounce box) lime gelatin dessert mix
• Decorations: small red candies, jellybeans, red fruit leather, etc.

Directions:

Spray a large mixing bowl lightly with cooking spray and place popcorn inside. In a 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 cooking spray and press firmly to form into 9-inch logs and then bend to form ‘wreaths’. Place ‘wreaths’ on wax paper.

Press candy decorations onto wreath to decorate; add a ‘ribbon’ cut from fruit leather. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage. Add a ribbon tie to plastic wrap as a decorative closure.

Clean-up tip: Soak saucepan before cleaning.

Holiday Popcorn Snowman

The next best thing to building a real snowman, these adorable easy-to-construct popcorn snowmen are sure to be a hit with the kids.

Yield: 10 balls, 5 snowmen (2 balls each)

Ingredients:

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1 (1-pound) package large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Decorations:

sprinkles, licorice, gum drops, cinnamon candies, etc.

Directions:

Melt marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand for 5 minutes. Pour over popcorn and stir. Butter hands well and form into balls. Decorate as desired.

Coconut Popcorn Snowballs

Popcorn plays with peppermint and coconut for some wintertime fun and flavor!

Yield: 8 (4-inch) balls

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded or flaked sweetened coconut
• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract
• 8 candy canes or candy cane sticks, about 3-4 inches

Directions:

Place a large sheet of wax (or parchment) paper over a work surface. Spread coconut onto paper. Spray a large mixing bowl lightly with cooking spray and place popcorn inside. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated. Spray hands with cooking spray and press firmly to form into balls. Place balls on coconut and roll and press coconut to coat. While holding popcorn ball, gently press a candy cane into each ball. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage.