Gluten Free White Chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn

Ingredients

Although this sounds like a naturally gluten free recipe not all candy canes are gluten free. Look for gluten free candy canes early in the season and stock up.

• Plain popped popcorn - This is the healthy choice and gluten free cooks are always leaning into real food. Microwave popcorn is full of chemicals and when you're ready to make the switch, quit buying it.

• White chocolate baking squares - I like to use baking squares since they melt a little easier than chocolate chips (which will work just fine if that's what you have).

• Gluten free candy canes - Every year several groups publish lists of safe gluten free candy for different holidays. Celiac Canada posts an updated list of candy for Valentine's, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Local Facebook groups are a great place to ask where exactly you can buy gluten free candy in your area.

Instructions: Crushing Candy Canes

Durable freezer bags work well for this job because they are thicker than regular sandwich bags. Fill a bag with candy canes, place it on a cutting board and smash away. If you have overly zealous kids cover the bag with a towel to contain the mess.

Smashing tool - Use the smooth side of a kitchen mallet or a hammer. Smashing candy canes is especially fun for young kids but you'll need to stop them before they are all dust. Extra candy cane dust can be sprinkled on whipped cream or used to make a sweet rim on a fancy holiday drink.

Instructions: 3 Steps to Melt Chocolate in the Microwave

Melting chocolate, squares or chips, in the microwave is quick and easy but it will burn if you're not careful. Follow these three steps and don't rush.

1. Place the chocolate in a bowl just large enough to hold the chocolate.
2. Microwave the chocolate on high for one minute. Remove from microwave and stir well, watching it melt as you stir.
3. If not completely melted, microwave for 30 seconds at a time stirring well after each cooking time.

Substitutions & Variations

Candy canes - Substitute hard peppermint candies for the candy canes but don't change the name. Christmas treats with the words candy canes in the name always taste better.

White chocolate baking squares - Substitute white chocolate chips for the baking squares.

Salted pretzels and beyond - Keep your eyes open for all the popcorn treats. From caramel to pretzels, gluten free cooks learn to read the variations in store or online, then make a safe version at home.

Gluten Free Kids Can Cook

All the kids in your house can be taught to have fun in a gluten free kitchen. Make the planning and prep part of the fun. Buy a hot air popcorn machine if you don't have one and let them choose bags to make homemade teacher gifts.

Unwrapping candy canes, smashing them, popping the popcorn and melting the chocolate can all be fun. Put on some music, start a conversation, and work together or sit back and cheer them on.

Get The Tools & Give The Tools

Kitchens need tools and cooks accept gifts year round. When you're new to gluten free it's an opportunity to ask for what you want (or buy it yourself).

• Hot Air Popcorn Maker to make all the popcorn recipes you want.
• Old-fashioned hot air popcorn maker.
• Silicone Popcorn Popper for the microwave that's collapsable!
• Vintage Table Top Kettle Popcorn Maker.
• A kitchen mallet to crush candy canes.
• A mold for making Chocolate Bombs because you're crushing candy canes already, you probably have marshmallows and wouldn't making bombs be fun!

More Edible Gifts Ideas

Make making the gifts part of the giving. That's what foodies do!