Make Ahead
Elf Chow
Prep Time: 20 Minutes Start to Finish: 4 Hours 50 Minutes 18 servings
- 12 cups popped popcorn
- 2 cups roasted whole almonds
- 2 cups small pretzel twists
- 1 cup red and green candy-coated chocolate candies
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup white vanilla baking chips
- ½ cup crushed hard peppermint candies
1 Heat oven to 250°F. Lightly spray large roasting pan with cooking spray. In roasting pan, mix popcorn, almonds, pretzels and chocolate candies; set aside.
2 In 2-quart saucepan, heat brown sugar, butter and corn syrup to boiling over medium heat. Boil 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda, salt and vanilla until well mixed. Pour over popcorn mixture; toss until coated.
3 Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Immediately spread on waxed or cooking parchment paper. Cool 30 minutes.
4 Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave dark chocolate chips and ¼ teaspoon of the oil on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture.
5 In another small microwavable bowl, microwave white baking chips and remaining ¼ teaspoon oil on High 30 to 40 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Sprinkle with peppermint candies. Let stand 3 to 4 hours or until chocolate is set. Store in airtight container.
1 Serving (1 Cup): Calories 450; Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 25mg; Sodium 270mg; Total Carbohydrate 50g (Dietary Fiber 3g); Protein 5g Exchanges: 1½ Starch, 2 Other Carbohydrate, 5 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 3
Make-Ahead Magic This recipe can be made up to 4 days in advance. Store in an airtight container or resealable food-storage plastic bags.
Festive Touch This eye-catching, sweet-and-salty snack mix would make a great hostess gift. Place chow in holiday food-safe tins or decorative bags tied with a ribbon.