Cranberry Popcorn Food

CRANBERRY-GINGER POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger, 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring. Stir in 3/4 cup each dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat; using a rubber spatula, stir in 12 cups popcorn until coated. Butter your hands, then shape into balls.

CRANBERRY POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F Place popcorn in a large, 4 inch deep, buttered baking pan. Keep warm in the oven.
• Pour water into a large buttered saucepan. Securely tie cloves, allspice and cinnamon in a piece of cheesecloth and place in water. Cover saucepan and simmer 20 minutes.
• Remove spices from pan. Stir in cranberries, sugar, corn syrup, orange peel, nutmeg and food coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolved and mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking until mixture reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer.
• Remove popcorn from heat. Pour syrup mixture slowly over popcorn, stirring to coat. Shape into balls. Allow to cool, wrap in plastic wrap, tie with colored ribbon and give as gifts during the holiday season.

CRANBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200°F. Divide popcorn between 2 ungreased 13x9-inch pans.
• In 3-quart heavy saucepan, heat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around edges. Cook 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Stir in baking soda.
• Pour caramel mixture over popcorn; stir until well coated. Add 1 cup cranberries and 3/4 cup baking chips to each pan; toss until well coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.