Christmas has many edible traditions… cookies baked for Santa Claus, egg nog, gingerbread houses, popcorn garland, and roasted chestnuts. What if you combine two festive food traditions ─ popcorn and cookies? This recipe adds an unexpected pop to Christmas cookies!

Ingredients | Yield: 10 trees

• 10 cups air-popped popcorn
• 1 10-oz. bag miniature marshmallows
• 2 tbsps. butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Decorating sugar (green, blue)
• 1 tube of white frosting (with decorating tip)
• Assorted small colorful candies, such as sprinkles and miniature silver dragees
• Sugar cookies (previously prepared)
• Shredded coconut
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

1. Place popcorn in large bowl.
2. Place marshmallows and butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly.
5. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray, then scoop out about 1 cup of popcorn mixture.
6. Shape mixture into a cone shape, keeping the base flat (this forms tree). Sprinkle tree with decorating sugar; place tree on baking sheet. Continue to make the rest of the trees.
7. Pipe frosting on trees to make a garland; decorate with colorful candies.
8. Place each tree on a (prepared) sugar cookie on a serving tray and decorate with shredded coconut to resemble snow.

Note: Start with unflavored, white popcorn. Make your own colored sugar by adding food coloring to sugar, stirring in a bowl or shaking vigorously in a sealed container. Add more food coloring for more intense tones.