Popcorn two ways
December 22, 2009
Looking for a quick, inexpensive, non-cookie food item for gift giving? This year, I have been popping lots of corn.
First up is Molly's recipe for Caramel Popcorn with Salted Peanuts. UNBELIEVABLE. It is really, really good. And quite easy to make. Follow her suggestions, have everything at the ready and you will be in great shape. A candy thermometer is a must here. I didn't have one so I picked one up at the grocery store for about $12 last week. I have used it about five times since I bought it and will probably use it again today. Well worth the investment.
Maple Popcorn is the other variety I have been giving this season. I found this recipe from Jennie. I love this one because it is super simple and you can double or triple the recipe. Maple syrup, popcorn, salt and oil are the only ingredients making this a vegan treat - super nice for your vegetarian friends or those with dairy allergies. A candy thermometer comes in handy with this recipe, too. I packed some of it up in jars I bought at Target last year (I think they still sell them, though) and tied some red and white string around the lids. I made the label in photoshop using the Reprodepot Flora Pattern disc. (I have the Folk Pattern disc, too. I have used them both in various ways and really like them --- they probably deserve a post of their own).
Back tomorrow with the winner of Applique Your Way.
Because my daughter has a wheat allergy, I wanted to find a cheap substitute for Christmas Cookies that was gluten free. I made popcorn this year too! Everyone loved it!
Posted by: Kelli | December 22, 2009 at 08:19 AM
I think popcorn is such a nice thing to have on hand during the holidays since so much of the snack fare is a bit on the rich and heavy side. Love the labels. I was admiring the Reprodepot book the other night and dreaming of possibilities.
Posted by: Gina :|: Listening in the Litany | December 22, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Finally, a use for my candy thermometer! Not like I ever made candy with it or anything...the popcorn looks so great, I'm sure we'll be giving it a try.
Have a Merry Christmas, Erin!
Posted by: Meg Evans | December 22, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Thanks for the Maple popcorn link. I wanted to try Molly's but was thwarted by the lack of corn syrup in the UK. Now Maple syrup, I can get...
Posted by: Ali | December 22, 2009 at 08:52 AM
turns out i have no corn syrup in the house. figures. off to the store.
Posted by: emily | December 22, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Yum! Now I wish I had made some food gifts this year (my dieting has made me stay away). I'll file this away for the future. Have a Merry Christmas, Erin!
Posted by: beki | December 22, 2009 at 09:49 AM
What a great idea! We usually do quick breads or cookies, but popcorn is a great change. i love packing it up in the jars! That makes it look so old fashioned and special.
Posted by: Tammy | December 22, 2009 at 09:57 AM
That looks so delicious. If only a ruined pot and broken spatula hadn't long-ago forced me into promising my husband I would never make 'candy' again.
Mind you...he isn't here and the day is young.
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 22, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Perfect! My nephew is dairy, gluten, and egg free and it's impossible to come up with yummy treats he can have!
Posted by: Meredith | December 22, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Yummy! I love popcorn in all its guises.
Posted by: Lorrie | December 22, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Looks quite scrumptious. I love caramel popcorn.
Posted by: AJ | December 22, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Very nice! I think caramel popcorn is the new peanut brittle...
Posted by: hayley l. | December 22, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Yum. Lovely idea.. you can make and receive too many pieces of fudge and cookie! lol
Posted by: Stacy T | December 22, 2009 at 08:27 PM
i am all over both of those recipes!
and nice packaging.... love it.
Posted by: leslie | December 22, 2009 at 09:11 PM
look fab! And oh so yummy!!!
Posted by: Tanya | December 22, 2009 at 09:56 PM
You INSPIRE me Erin....you are a regular Martha :)
Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family and thanks for sharing. I am glad you are here :)
Posted by: lookwhaticando | December 23, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I didn't even get to the second recipe. I was sold at the mention of peanuts and salt. Totally making this one...
Posted by: sulu-design | December 23, 2009 at 11:14 AM
These look delish! I wish there was an easier to way to make fab lables (without knowing Photoshop or Cricut or any of that advanced-crafty stuff).
Signed,
Crafting Novice
Posted by: Juice | December 23, 2009 at 01:30 PM
PS Thanks for the email!
Posted by: Juice | December 23, 2009 at 01:31 PM
I love your packaging! And I love this popcorn - I was lucky enough to have some that Molly herself made and brought to a party I was at, before she posted the recipe.
Posted by: Lecia | December 24, 2009 at 01:06 AM
Both of those recipes sound delicious and your packaging is just wonderful. Great use of the Reprodepot discs! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: geek+nerd | December 26, 2009 at 12:47 PM
what a lovely idea. thanks you and happy new year.
Posted by: liza | December 27, 2009 at 06:49 PM
that's a fab idea. I love the reprodepot pattern CDs too. Thank you for the link!!
Posted by: charlotte | December 31, 2009 at 02:49 PM