Indulge in the festive cheer with this enchanting Vegan Christmas Popcorn Bark! A harmonious blend of melted chocolate, crunchy popcorn, mixed nuts, and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, it's a joyous medley of sweet and salty flavours. Share the holiday spirit by serving or gifting this merry treat - it’s perfect for spreading Christmas cheer!
For making the popcorn:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp of high smoke point oil (coconut, canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil)
- 70g popcorn kernels
- Salt (to taste)
Equipment:
- Large, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a lid
- Oven mitts
- Large bowl (for serving)
Steps:
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and add the oil. It's crucial to use a high smoke point oil to prevent burning. Test the oil's readiness by dropping in a few kernels; once they start to sizzle, it's time to move to the next step.
- Pour in the popcorn kernels, ensuring they form a single layer at the bottom of the pan. Immediately cover the saucepan with the lid to trap the heat.
- Holding the saucepan with oven mitts, continuously shake it gently back and forth over the heat to ensure even cooking. This prevents kernels from sticking or burning.
- Within a minute or two, you'll start hearing the kernels pop. Keep gently shaking the pan throughout the popping process.
- Once the popping slows down to 2-3 seconds between pops, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Be careful as the residual heat can cause popcorn to burn.
- Wait for about 30 seconds to allow steam to escape. This helps to ensure your popcorn stays crispy rather than becoming soggy.
- Transfer the freshly popped popcorn to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt or any desired seasoning while it's still warm. Toss the popcorn gently to coat evenly.
Extra Tips:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure the area around the stove is clear and ready for cooking. Get all your ingredients and equipment together.
- Use the Right Oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point like coconut, rapeseed or vegetable oil to prevent burning.
- Even Heating: Ensure the kernels are spread in a single layer to allow even heating.
- Keep the Lid On: Keeping the lid on the pan is crucial to trap steam, which helps pop the kernels evenly.
- Shake the Pan: Continuously shaking the pan helps prevent burning and ensures more kernels pop.
- Watch Carefully: Once the popping slows down, remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
For making Christmas Popcorn Bark:
Prep time: 10 minutes + 1-2 hours setting time in the fridge
Cook time: 5 minutes (for melting the chocolate)
Ingredients (Makes 8 Servings)
- 300g vegan chocolate, melted
- 1 handful of popped popcorn, plus extra for decorating
- 60g mixed nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), roughly chopped
- 2-3 vegan candy canes, crushed
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- A pinch of salt
- 100g vegan white chocolate chips (for decorating)
- Festive sprinkles for decoration (optional)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Melt the chocolate either using a double boiler or by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until smooth and fully melted.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the popped popcorn and roughly chopped mixed nuts. Drizzle the maple syrup over the mixture and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn-nut mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold and coat the popcorn and nuts evenly with the chocolate.
- Transfer the chocolate-coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out into an even layer using the spatula, creating a rough rectangle or square shape.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes, chocolate chips and festive sprinkles over the surface of the chocolate-covered popcorn-nut mixture.
- Place the baking sheet in the fridge for about 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate has completely hardened and set.
- Once set, remove the bark from the fridge and break it into irregular pieces using your hands or by gently cutting with a knife.
Serve the Vegan Christmas Popcorn Bark immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy. It's a perfect festive treat to share or gift during the holiday season!
| Calories | 281 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31g |
| Fibre | 6g |
| Sugar | 19g |
| Protein | 17g |
