activities
How to Make Cold-Weather Snacks
When the weather turns chilly and your daughter plays indoors, you’ll want to serve goodies that make her feel cozy. What could be better than popcorn balls and hot cocoa?
They’re perfect movie-watching munchies!
What You Will Need
What You Will Need
- Popcorn Balls
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 9 cups popped popcorn
- Cellophane
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Candy thermometer
- Hot Cocoa
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup hot water
- 4 cups milk
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- Whipped cream
- Colored sprinkles
- Candy canes or cinnamon sticks
How to Do It
- For popcorn balls, help your daughter mix sugar, butter, corn syrup, water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil. Continue cooking until syrup reaches 270 degrees on a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour syrup over popcorn and stir gently to coat.
- With buttered hands, shape cooled popcorn into balls. Wrap each in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Makes about 10.
- Serve popcorn balls with homemade hot cocoa — a special treat! Help your daughter mix cocoa, sugar, salt and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for one minute.
- Stir in milk. Heat to serving temperature but don’t boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream. Add a dash of magic with colored sprinkles and a candy cane or cinnamon stick. Makes five servings.
