Peppermint Bark Popcorn

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
• 12 oz vanilla candy melts or vanilla almond bark
• 5 peppermint candy canes, finely crushed, crush until it's half powder half tiny pieces. Scant 1/2 cup
• Sprinkles, optional
• 1/2 cup good quality chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Directions

1. Pop the kernels in a popcorn popper, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and catch the popped corn in a very large bowl. If a popper is not handy, make the popcorn in a brown paper bag in the microwave instead. Remove any kernels that did not pop.
2. Melt the candy melts as directed on the package. Pour the melted coating over the popcorn and toss until the popcorn is evenly covered. Reserve 1 Tbsp of the crushed candy canes, then, right away and before the coating sets, add the rest of the candy canes and toss again to distribute them. Add Christmas or red sprinkles, if you’d like.
3. Transfer the coated popcorn to a large sheet of parchment or wax paper and spread it out in a single layer. Add more sprinkles, if desired.
4. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat them at 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate.
5. Spoon the chocolate into a piping bag, cut the tip from the corner, and drizzle it evenly over the popcorn. Scatter the reserved 1 Tbsp candy canes over the chocolate, then leave it at room temperature until the chocolate sets. Break the popcorn into pieces and store it in an airtight container.