Christmas Cookie Popcorn
The holidays always bring out the fun, whimsical recipes, and this Christmas Cookie Popcorn is the perfect mix of sweet, crunchy, and festive. You get the sweet flavors of cookies and creamy chocolate, mixed with savory, crunchy popcorn, all in one handful. It’s easy to make, fun to customize, and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
I love making a big batch of this popcorn and packing it up into jars for gifting—it’s just as much fun to give as it is to eat. Plus, it’s perfect for holiday movie nights.
If you love this Christmas Cookie Popcorn, then you’ll also want to try my Easy Christmas Cookie Dip and Melted Snowman Donuts – two more festive recipes that bring just as much holiday cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun Mix of Cookies, Chocolate, and Popcorn: Every handful brings a sweet, crunchy surprise, making it a snack that feels playful and festive.
- Quick to Put Together with Simple Ingredients: No complicated steps here – just a few basics and you’ll have a holiday treat in under an hour.
- Easily Customizable with Different Cookies or Candies: From gingerbread pieces to peppermint bits, you can swap in your favorites to match the season or your mood.
- Perfect for Gifting or Holiday Parties: Pack it into jars, bags, or bowls, and it instantly becomes a cheerful addition to any celebration.
Ingredients
- White Popcorn: The base of the recipe, providing that light, airy crunch that balances out all the sweetness. Freshly popped plain popcorn works best since it won’t compete with the other flavors.
- Red Melting Chocolate: Adds festive holiday color while giving a sweet candy coating. Candy melts are ideal because they set quickly and keep their shine.
- Green Melting Chocolate: Complements the red drizzle for that classic Christmas look. The colored chocolate makes this treat instantly festive.
- White Melting Chocolate: The main “glue” that binds the toppings to the popcorn. It has a creamy sweetness that coats everything well.
- Mini Frosted Oatmeal Cookies: Adds chewy texture and a spiced flavor that pairs well with the chocolate. Breaking them into small chunks ensures every handful has cookie bits.
- Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies: Adds a classic cookie crunch and familiar flavor. Mixing different cookie types makes the popcorn more fun.
- Multicolor Candy-Coated Chocolates: Bring extra sweetness and crunch. They also add pops of bright holiday color throughout the mix.
- Christmas Sprinkle Mix: A final festive touch that makes the popcorn look bakery-worthy. They also add a fun crunch in every bite.
Substitutions and Additions
- Switch the Cookies: Try gingerbread cookies, shortbread, or sugar cookies for a different holiday flavor.
- Use Different Chocolate: Swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate if you prefer a richer taste.
- Add More Candy: Gumdrops, peppermint pieces, or mini marshmallows would be fun additions.
- Make it Nutty: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Popcorn Base
Line a cookie sheet or tray with parchment paper. Spread your popcorn evenly across the surface so it’s ready for topping.
Break the Cookies
Take your mini cookies and break them into halves or thirds. Set them aside so they’re ready to sprinkle over the popcorn later.
Melt the Chocolates
Place your white, red, and green candy melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat each in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
Coat the Popcorn
Pour the melted white chocolate evenly over the popcorn. Use a spatula or clean hands to gently toss and coat so every piece has a sweet layer.
Add the Festive Drizzle
Drizzle the red and green melted chocolates over the coated popcorn in zig-zag lines. This gives the mix that festive, holiday look.
Add the Toppings
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on the cookie pieces, candy-coated chocolates, and festive sprinkles. Press down lightly so they stick to the chocolate.
Let it Set
Place the tray on a flat surface and let the popcorn sit for about 10 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.
Break and Serve
Once the chocolate is set, break the popcorn into clusters using your (clean) hands. Transfer to bowls, jars, or gift bags for serving.
Tips and Notes
- Use Fresh Popcorn: Old or stale popcorn can make the mix chewy instead of crunchy. Freshly popped works best.
- Even Coating: Toss the popcorn gently but thoroughly when adding the white chocolate so every piece has some sweetness.
- Work Quickly: Add the cookies, sprinkles, and candies while the chocolate is still wet so everything sticks in place.
- Gift-Friendly: This recipe looks adorable when packed into jars or clear treat bags with a ribbon – perfect for holiday gifts.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve in Holiday Mugs: Scoop the popcorn into big festive mugs for a cozy movie-night snack.
- Pair with Hot Cocoa: The chocolate and cookie mix goes perfectly with a warm cup of cocoa.
- Use as a Party Mix: Place it in a big bowl on the snack table for holiday gatherings.
- Gift in Jars: Fill mason jars with popcorn, tie with ribbon, and gift to friends, neighbors, or teachers.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Avoid storing in the fridge, since moisture can make the popcorn chewy.
- To freshen it up, spread leftovers on a baking sheet and warm in a low oven (250°F) for 5–7 minutes.
Christmas Cookie Popcorn
Ingredients
- 8 cups white popcorn
- 2 ounces red melting chocolate
- 2 ounces green melting chocolate
- 4 ounces white melting chocolate
- 6 mini frosted oatmeal cookies
- 6 mini chocolate chip cookies
- Multicolor candy-coated chocolates
- Christmas sprinkle mix
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet or tray with parchment paper. Spread your popcorn evenly across the surface so it’s ready for topping.
- Take your mini cookies and break them into halves or thirds. Set them aside so they’re ready to sprinkle over the popcorn later.
- Place your white, red, and green candy melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat each in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted white chocolate evenly over the popcorn. Use a spatula or clean hands to gently toss and coat so every piece has a sweet layer.
- Drizzle the red and green melted chocolates over the coated popcorn in zig-zag lines. This gives the mix that festive, holiday look.
- While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on the cookie pieces, candy-coated chocolates, and festive sprinkles. Press down lightly so they stick to the chocolate.
- Place the tray on a flat surface and let the popcorn sit for about 10 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.
- Once the chocolate is set, break the popcorn into clusters. Transfer to bowls, jars, or gift bags for serving. Enjoy!
