Traditions are a very important part of the holidays for many folks.  Whether it’s gathering the family together to decorate the tree, volunteering time for a worthy cause, or attending a Christmas concert at your local school or church, traditions can definitely help ease the stress that can truly overwhelm this time of year.

One of our family’s favorite traditions is bundling up in our warmest clothes, and taking a drive into the city to see the spectacular light show put on by a local rotary club.  In years past, the temperatures have been so cold that we’ve almost driven through the light show. Instead of walking the three miles. But at the last minute, we always decide that just wouldn’t be a tradition.

The kids (and our precious grandson) are home for a long weekend, and you guessed it, we’ll be heading out tonight, just before dark to see those AMAZING lights!

Afterward, we plan on picking up a pizza from our favorite pizza place and heading home to snuggle up and watch Christmas movies.  Of course, movies go hand in hand with popcorn, right?

And that leads me to another family tradition.  This super YUMMY caramel popcorn recipe, made with puffed corn!  This recipe was given to me years ago by my dear friend, Marlys.  Sadly, she passed away over ten years ago, but we keep her memory alive by re-creating many of the recipes she shared and this buttery, crunchy caramel popcorn has definitely become a family favorite around the holidays!

This quick and easy recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, and makes a HUGE batch!

Just store it in an airtight container, and it will last for weeks!

I usually like to make one batch for snacking, and I put another in pretty Christmas bags and give them away to family and friends.

Here’s the recipe! I hope you and your family enjoy it!

Caramel Puffed Popcorn

Course Snack
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 8 oz bag of Puffed Corn
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200. Pour puffed corn into a greased roasting pan. Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to boil. Lower heat and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove mixture from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. Stir thoroughly. Carefully pour hot caramel over the puffed corn. Stir making sure all corn is coated well. Place roasting pan in the oven. Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring corn every 15 minutes. Remove corn from the oven. Pour mixture onto greased waxed paper. Spread out evenly to cool. Once cool place in an airtight container. 

Does your family share any traditions over the holidays? I’d love to hear all about them.

 

Looking for more Homemade Gift ideas?

Have a great weekend!

 

 

7 thoughts on “A Christmas Treat and Family Traditions!”

  1. This looks yummy! My husband use to make Mexican Candy with our kiddos when they were younger. It was fun because it always turned out different each year as he refused to follow a recipe. The fun was wondering if it would turn out.

  2. Thank you, Carole! It sure was! Your Mexican Candy sounds yummy too! I’d love the recipe!! As for following recipes-your hubby sounds exactly like mine!

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