JFG Nation, Merry Christmas Eve Eve! I know some of my readers are not Christmas celebrators and that’s coo. But for those who are, I have a serious question. We all know Thanksgiving is turkey time. But for Xmas, for those who are into it – do you do a ham or a turkey (again?)

I have some friends who insist: “OH, it’s Christmas ham all the way. You can’t do a turkey, you just DID turkey over Thanksgiving! Ham. It’s the only solution.” (Well, I don’t know about you, but I happen to love turkey. I know people complain it’s bland, but heck – I could eat it for days…and I DO eat it for days. Sure it may not be as inherently flavorful as ham, but it makes for a perfect vessel for gravy. Into my belly.)

Other friends: “Oh we always do a turkey. Turkeys are traditional. Haven’t you ever seen the end of the Christmas Carol? Scrooge ain’t carving into a ham; he’s slicing a turkey.” (Yes, I actually had a friend tell me this, and I have no idea what he is talking about. I’m not basing my dining choice over some random show you saw.)

One friend: “Why not do both?” (Dude, shut up.)

What say YOU, JFG Nation? For the holidays – ham or turkey? Let me know in the comments below.

Today’s junk food: Cracker Jack Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn!!

Cracker Jack Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn: The Money Shot

Cracker Jack Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn!! I saw this in the stores way back in mid-November, and just dug it out from my junk food pile. I like flavored popcorn (see Popcorn, Indiana drizzlecorn or any kettle corn ever) but I have to admit – Cracker Jack isn’t the first brand I think of when I’m craving some sweet corn. Still, with popcorn that claims to taste like sugar cookies, how could I pass it up?

I do love sugar cookies. I went to a cookie party over the weekend where there was a potluck cookie spread. I told the Junk Food Gal, “Ok, I’m only going to eat two cookies and then let’s leave early to have dinner.” I then proceeded to eat, no joke, like 19 cookies in the first half hour. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.

….you know what? Nothing. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME MURICA

Cracker Jack Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn: Ingredient 1, Corn Syrup. HOW FESTIVE.

Opening this bag of Cracker Jack Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn, I sniffed – no actual sugar cookie smell. Hmm. I sniffed and sniffed and while this smelled like popcorn, I didn’t get any overwhelming cookie aroma. No peanuts in this mix, as you can see – just straight up popped corn covered in white confection with bits of color.

I crunched a bunch of this Cracker Jack Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn with my eyes closed. This was basically a REALLY crunchy popcorn – the candy coating crunched just like caramel corn. Texture wise, this was totally familiar.

Flavor wise? I wasn’t really sure. I certainly didn’t get sugar cookie flavor. The confection on the popcorn did sort of remind me of the general sugar-y frosting that goes on sugar cookies. But, honestly, it MORE reminded me of marshmallow. Crunch – marshmallow. Crunch – marshmallow. I tried to THINK “Sugar Cookie” but as I ate all I could taste was CRUNCHY MARSHMALLOW POPCORN.

The real problem was that the popcorn flavor was super strong – which it should be since this is, after all, Cracker Jack. But as a result I never did get that cookie flavor. This is another instance where a company is trying to come up with a holiday variant but the execution isn’t there. Or it’s a variant that was destined to fail because of the type of snack it is inherently. Popcorn will always taste like popcorn.

To be clear – this didn’t taste bad. Scrumptious stuff, to be fair. But holiday cookie? Nope.

PURCHASED AT: Walmart, Germantown, MD

COST: $1.49

Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. I also have Google+!! Let’s hang out.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy