Christmas Crunch

Presents bought. Check. Presents wrapped. Not quite. Christmas baking. Not yet. It's Christmas Crunch time! Although I'm not quite ready for Christmas, that didn't stop us from accepting an invitation from the Burtnetts for their impromptu get-together last night.  We enjoyed cooking hotdogs and s'mores over their campfire, singing Christmas songs, and playing charades.

It gave Keely a chance to make a new munchie she found on the internet.  This is the preferred kind of Christmas Crunch . . . but warning, it's addictive!

She just started with 2 bags of popped popcorn and tossed in broken pretzel pieces and Christmas M&Ms.

Next, she poured melted white chocolate chips over it, and then spread the mixture into a single layer onto wax paper.

Once drizzled with melted vanilla almond bark, she quickly added a variety of sprinkles including little green Christmas trees and red candy canes. It was too cute and festive!

 
I'm certain Keely just started a new tradition as we'll be looking forward to this funfetti munchie every year. Wishing each of you survive your own Christmas Crunch and find enough time to truly calm down and enjoy the season. Peace! :)

Christmas Crunch

Ingredients:

• 2 microwave bags white popcorn 
• 1 1/2 cups broken pretzel pieces
• 1 (12 oz) bag red and green Christmas M&Ms
• 1/2 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips
• 1/2 package vanilla almond bark (or approximately 8 oz)
• Red, green and white sprinkles

Directions:

Pop popcorn and remove any unpopped kernels. Toss in broken pretzel pieces and M&Ms. Place in large kitchen trash bag.

Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Pour over popcorn mixture, and gently rotate bag until mixture is thoroughly coated with chocolate. Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper.

Melt almond bark in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Drizzle evenly over popcorn mixture. (Tip: Place melted almond bark in a ziploc bag and cut a small hole in one of the tips to turn it into a disposable dispenser.) Add sprinkles before almond bark sets. Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container.