December is flying by and I have an easy, no-bake treat that’s perfect
for last-minute gift giving and holiday snacking. . .
Reindeer Corn Snack Mix!
You can whip up a batch in about 20 minutes, almost as fast as you can say
“On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen . . .”!
I’ve made a version of this candy coated popcorn snack mix for
New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day,
St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
The sweet and salty combination of popcorn, nuts, pretzels and candy, makes it highly addictive.
I always send something to my hubby’s office for Christmas and this popcorn mix
was requested and is a crowd-pleaser!
More of a procedure than a recipe, you can vary this mix to your taste,
changing the candy, sprinkles and quantities of ingredients. For this merry mix,
I used reindeer corn, a holiday version of candy corn in Christmas red and green.
You can use any kind of pretzel to add the ‘salt’ factor in this mix.
I spied festive Utz Holiday Shaped Pretzels, bell, star and tree-shaped mini pretzels at Target and Walmart.
This snack mix starts with popcorn and candy coating or almond bark.
I use a ratio of 6 cups of popcorn per 16 ounce package of candy coating/ almond bark,
but adjust your candy coating-to-popcorn ratio to your taste.
Pop your corn using your preferred method, removing any old maids or unpopped kernels and set aside.
I prefer CandiQuik (found on the baking aisle) for the convenience of the blocks of bark and the microwave disposable tray,
but any brand of candy coating will work. Melt the candy coating according to the package directions.
Mix your melted candy coating with your popcorn in a large bowl, stirring well until coated,
then spread the popcorn on wax paper or parchment lined baking sheet(s) to set.
Add some Christmas red and green sprinkles to your popcorn while the coating is still warm,
to make it merry and bright. Once your popcorn is set (about 10 minutes), break into pieces.
To your popcorn, stir in some salted nuts, pretzels, and candy of choice.
I used red and green M&Ms, along with the reindeer corn.
Store your Reindeer Corn Snack Mix in an airtight container until ready to enjoy or for gift giving.
The key to keeping the popcorn from becoming stale is to use
enough almond bark to provide a hard shell coating.
The popcorn mix will stay fresh for a week or longer in a sealed container.
I hope you’re enjoying The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. . .
Reindeer Mugs / Pfaltzgraff Dancing Snowflakes
Reindeer Corn / HomeGoods or online from Jelly Belly, Candy Warehouse
Gift Tin / Hobby Lobby
Reindeer Corn Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 6 cups popcorn old maids removed about 1 bag of microwave of popcorn
- 16 oz. package Log House Vanilla CandiQuik Candy Coating or similar candy coating/almond bark
- Half of a 12 oz. Utz holiday pretzels or pretzels of choice
- 16 oz. can salted nuts of choice
- Candy of choice such as red and green M&M's and reindeer corn
- Red and green decorative sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop your popcorn using your preferred method. Remove any old maids or unpopped kernels and place in a large bowl. Melt candy coating according to the package directions then mix with your popcorn, stirring until evenly coated.
- Spread the candy coated popcorn on wax paper or parchment lined baking sheet(s) to set.
- Add your decorative sprinkles to your popcorn while the coating is still warm and allow it to cool.
- Once the candy coating is set, (about 20 - 30 minutes) break into pieces.
- Combine with salted nuts, pretzels and candy of choice.
- Store in airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
Find 20+ recipes to bake your spirits bright and make your holidays extra sweet, HERE.
Additionally you’ll find easy, no-bake treats for bars, snack mix and cocoa mix too.
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Metamorphosis Monday
Gorgeous, festive presentation while being easy to make and tasting yummy at the same time! What more could an individual ask for during the holiday season! Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much Mary! I’m scrambling to get everything done this week and this is the perfect solution and gift for neighbors! If I can’t find the reindeer corn, I think I’ll just use the red and green M&M’s. Merry Christmas!
Oh so cute! I’ve made your popcorn for other holidays and this Christmas version will be another hit with my family. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas week!
A festive picker-upper for sure this morning! I would love being on the receiving end of this tasty gift!
Merry Christmas…one week early, Mary, to you and your family.
What a wonderful presentation for gift or gathering
Oh those pretzels and the whole mix is adorable! I’m afraid I’d eat a whole tin myself. Have a Merry Christmas Mary!
I love this!! I made it for Halloween….would be fun to make for Christmas! Love how you do this!! Thank you. Merry Christmas!!!!!
Blessings
Gert
I bet it has that great mouth watering sensation of sweet and salty! Thanks for another great and tasty idea! One week and counting, I’d better get wrapping my gifts!
I just want to reach into the computer and grab a handful!!
Love it!!
I love the combination of sweet and salty! Thanks for this ‘no-bake’ treat and gift, my ‘to-do’ list is long and seems to be growing, Merry Christmas!
I think I’ll whip up a batch to take to my son and grands. Wish me luck finding the reindeer corn. If I can’t find it I’ll look for something red and green to add. Your edible Christmas tree is adorable too, Merry Christmas!
I love your popcorn mixes, Mary! Cissy had fun making the Halloween mix, and I know she will love making this one, too. I’m thinking this would make a great gift for my neighbors! Thank you, as always!
I have made your snack mix before and it is so good. I need to mix up a batch of the Reindeer version! There is something about the salty and sweet combination that most people love! Thanks for sharing, Mary!
Went and got all the ingredients today! I will be making this cute treat this week!
I hope you enjoy Kathi! Merry Christmas! 🎄
You can’t beat a sweet and salty snack mix for any occasion! This version is adorable Mary, I am going to try to make it for our Sugar Bowl party New Year’s Eve! I wish a had a mug full to snack on right now…
Jenna
This is great snacking food for Hallmark Channel Christmas movies. Thanks for sharing, Mary!
~Mary~
I always love this mix , hard to stop eating !!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and blessings in 2018!
Paula IN.
I made a batch of this for Christmas snacking. I couldn’t find reindeer corn so just left it out !
I used candy quick from the grocery store but if you plan ahead ( which I did not) I would recommend ordering candy melts from Country Kitchen Sweet Art in Indiana. Some of the best melting candy for candy making projects.
Thanks for sharing this yummy treat. Could you please let me/us know when you see the Utz pretzels at Target? I’ve started looking with no luck. Did you find them with the other pretzels or in another location in the store? I did find the Christmas candy corn this week at our HomeGoods store in Mooresville. Thank you!!!
Hi Melissa, I just did a quick online search. It looks like the holiday pretzels are available at Walmart 🎄
This is a great treat. I made it last year and it was a hit for everyone!
Mary- what brand of popcorn did you use? I know if I make this I will eat the entire batch. When David would bring this to the office I would eat this until I was sick.
This is my favorite treat
Merry Christmas to you and David
Hi Kaye, I used an Orville Redenbacker’s microwave popcorn (don’t use a butter flavor to keep it from getting soggy). Merry Christmas ❣️ 🍿🎄🎁🐾🐾