Cold and rainy mornings, fuzzy socks, curling up on the couch watching “Home Alone” — that first hint of winter settles in the air. Paired with a warm cup of hot cocoa, these are some snacks that capture flavors of the winter holidays. With hints of peppermint and marshmallow, each treat brings out a nostalgic flavor that makes it feel like the holiday season.
Lesser Evil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn
This air popped organic popcorn coated in white chocolate and marshmallow is light and fluffy, making the next handful hard to resist. Cooked with coconut oil and containing 4 grams of fiber per serving, this popcorn is not just tasty but also a relatively healthy pick for a cozy movie night. These bags cost around $4, which is a great price for the amount of popcorn there is. They are sugary but not overly rich, and lean more into the marshmallow sweetness than the white chocolate. The sweet and salty marshmallow flavor can be a little overwhelming for some.
Rating: 3.8/5
Sprinkles Cupcake Cups Hot Cocoa and Christmas Cookie
Sprinkles, a cupcake store, entered the candy market this holiday season by updating their menu with cupcake candy cups. The rich and decadent flavor consists of a creamy milk chocolate cup with a soft and gooey marshmallow filling, and small marshmallow bits on top. The Christmas Cookie flavor has a white chocolate outer shell and a sweet sugar cookie frosting inside. The festive red and green sprinkles on top give it a little crunch. These bite sized treats are perfect for when a full cupcake feels like too much. Out of the two, the milk chocolate cups are preferred by many reviewers. At $6 a bag, these are a bit on the pricier side.
Rating: 4/5
Winter Wonderland Trail Mix
Reminiscent of the holiday Chex Mix, this trail mix contains an assortment of roasted cashews, yogurt coated pretzels, dark chocolate stars, peppermint almonds and dried cranberries. This snack captures the holiday spirit; the sweet and tart cranberries, peppermint and chocolate flavors create the perfect combination of flavors. The pretzels bring crunchy and creamy richness. Costing $7, these are a great addition for holiday snack bowls. It was one of the most enjoyable snacks of the bunch and worth the price.
Rating: 5/5
Honey Mamas Peppermint Crunch
This bar, priced at $5.99 is made with organic raw honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, almonds and peppermint oil. It is also gluten free and has no refined sugars or dairy. It is very rich and tastes like a truffle. The almonds and cacao nibs add a crunch, making the bar stand out from other chocolates. The rich, deep chocolate with strong peppermint undertones brings you to a winter wonderland. For people seeking a healthy, delicious snack, this is a great choice.
Rating: 5/5
365 Peppermint Dark Chocolate Pretzels
Crunchy, rich and sprinkled with candy cane pieces, these peppermint chocolate pretzels are a festive treat. Both sweet and salty, these pretzels are similar to typical dark chocolate pretzels, but with an added element of crunchy peppermint. However, the peppermint flavor is subtle, landing it more squarely in the camp of chocolate covered pretzels than a peppermint snack. One bag costs $4.
Rating: 3.5/5
