Recipe and images courtesy of Romy London (@romylondonuk on Instagram)

Indulge in the festive cheer with this enchanting Vegan Christmas Popcorn Bark! A harmonious blend of melted chocolate, crunchy popcorn, mixed nuts, and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, it's a joyous medley of sweet and salty flavours. Share the holiday spirit by serving or gifting this merry treat - it’s perfect for spreading Christmas cheer!

For making the popcorn:

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp of high smoke point oil (coconut, canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil)
• 70g popcorn kernels
• Salt (to taste)

Equipment:

• Large, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a lid
• Oven mitts
• Large bowl (for serving)

Steps:

1. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and add the oil. It's crucial to use a high smoke point oil to prevent burning. Test the oil's readiness by dropping in a few kernels; once they start to sizzle, it's time to move to the next step.
2. Pour in the popcorn kernels, ensuring they form a single layer at the bottom of the pan. Immediately cover the saucepan with the lid to trap the heat.
3. Holding the saucepan with oven mitts, continuously shake it gently back and forth over the heat to ensure even cooking. This prevents kernels from sticking or burning.
4. Within a minute or two, you'll start hearing the kernels pop. Keep gently shaking the pan throughout the popping process.
5. Once the popping slows down to 2-3 seconds between pops, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Be careful as the residual heat can cause popcorn to burn.
6. Wait for about 30 seconds to allow steam to escape. This helps to ensure your popcorn stays crispy rather than becoming soggy.
7. Transfer the freshly popped popcorn to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt or any desired seasoning while it's still warm. Toss the popcorn gently to coat evenly.

Extra Tips:

• Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure the area around the stove is clear and ready for cooking. Get all your ingredients and equipment together.
• Use the Right Oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point like coconut, rapeseed or vegetable oil to prevent burning.
• Even Heating: Ensure the kernels are spread in a single layer to allow even heating.
• Keep the Lid On: Keeping the lid on the pan is crucial to trap steam, which helps pop the kernels evenly.
• Shake the Pan: Continuously shaking the pan helps prevent burning and ensures more kernels pop.
• Watch Carefully: Once the popping slows down, remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.

For making Christmas Popcorn Bark:

Prep time: 10 minutes + 1-2 hours setting time in the fridge
Cook time: 5 minutes (for melting the chocolate)

Ingredients (Makes 8 Servings)

• 300g vegan chocolate, melted
• 1 handful of popped popcorn, plus extra for decorating
• 60g mixed nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), roughly chopped
• 2-3 vegan candy canes, crushed
• 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
• A pinch of salt
• 100g vegan white chocolate chips (for decorating)
• Festive sprinkles for decoration (optional)

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Melt the chocolate either using a double boiler or by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until smooth and fully melted.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the popped popcorn and roughly chopped mixed nuts. Drizzle the maple syrup over the mixture and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
4. Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn-nut mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold and coat the popcorn and nuts evenly with the chocolate.
5. Transfer the chocolate-coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out into an even layer using the spatula, creating a rough rectangle or square shape.
6. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes, chocolate chips and festive sprinkles over the surface of the chocolate-covered popcorn-nut mixture.
7. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for about 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate has completely hardened and set.
8. Once set, remove the bark from the fridge and break it into irregular pieces using your hands or by gently cutting with a knife.

Serve the Vegan Christmas Popcorn Bark immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy. It's a perfect festive treat to share or gift during the holiday season!