Make holiday treats with popcorn

FALLBROOK – Try making some fun treats with children. These recipes are courtesy of The Popcorn Board.

Chocolate Popcorn Reindeer

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

- 8 cups unsalted, unbuttered popped popcorn

- 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips

- 2 tbsp butter or light olive oil

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 16 pretzel sticks

- 16 eyeball candies

- 8 red candy-coated chocolate candies

Directions

1. Place popcorn in large mixing bowl.

2. In saucepan set over medium heat, heat marshmallows, chocolate, butter and salt, stirring often, until smooth. Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn until well combined.

3. Scoop 3/4 cup popcorn mixture into ball. Repeat with remaining mixture to make 8 balls. Place each ball in paper muffin cup liner.

4. Insert pretzel stick on each side of ball to resemble antlers, stick two eyeball candies on for "eyes" and red candy for "nose." Let cool completely.

These festive holiday popcorn balls are a great project for kids as they create their own red-nosed sleigh-pulling team!

Tip:Eyeball candies can be found in the baking aisle of your local supermarket or bulk food stores.

Holiday Popcorn Snowman

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

Ingredients

- 10 cups popped popcorn

- 1 (1-lb.) package large marshmallows

- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

- Decorations: sprinkles, licorice, gum drops, cinnamon candies, etc.

Directions

1. Melt marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan.

2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

3. Let stand for 5 minutes.

4. Pour over popcorn and stir.

5. Butter hands well and form into balls.

6. Decorate as desired