Popcorn Bars

5 cups cooked popcorn
1 cup chopped nuts
1 pkg (10 1/2 oz.) miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips

In a large bowl combine popcorn, pecans and 1 cup marshmallows. In a heavy saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add chocolate chips and remaining marshmallows. Cook and stir until smooth. Pour over popcorn and nuts. Toss to coat. With buttered hands, press into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 pan. Cool. Cut with a serrated knives. Makes about 2 doz.

This is great to have on hand as an after school snack. You can change the flavor by using other flavors of chips such as white, butterscotch, etc. You can also used pre-cooked, pre-packaged popcorn if you want. Just watch the salt content so your bars won't come out too salty. Or simply use low or no salt microwave popcorn.

White Chocolate Popcorn

1 bag butter flavored microwave popcorn, popped
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup dried cranberries
1 pkg. (12 oz.) white chocolate chips

Place popcorn in a large bowl, discard unpopped kernels. Stir in nuts and cranberries. Microwave white chocolate in glass measuring cup at High for 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring after each 30 second interval. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Spread on a cookie sheet and let stand 15 minutes or until chocolate hardens. Break into pieces.

Changes - use milk chocolate or half milk chocolate/half white chocolate. If using the combination, melt each in it's own dish, pour one over popcorn, toss then pour the other on and toss. For holidays, use colored white chocolate - pastels for Easter, red for Christmas, orange for Thanksgiving, etc. To me the white chocolate is best. The combination of the white chocolate combined with the salt from the popcorn and nuts create the perfect taste blend.