I love colored popcorn. Elsie brought back some caramel apple (green with a few brown) popcorn from Chicago a few weeks ago, and it reminded me how much I love colored popcorn. When Elsie and I were little, our family doctor's office was located next to (or maybe it was a few doors down) a gourmet popcorn shop. Sometimes, as a special treat, our mom would buy us flavored popcorn after a doctor's visit. I was the kind of kid who was obsessed with sugary treats, so I was always hoping for a trip to the popcorn shop after a doctor's visit. Anyway, I had plans to make popcorn balls before Halloween this year (you gotta!), and I decided to try something flavored/colored. These were made with Red Hots (cinnamon hard candy), so not only were they a pretty color, but they tasted like cinnamon too!
Red Hots Popcorn Balls, makes about a dozen or so.
Needed: 3/4 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 cup butter, 2 teaspoons water, a large handful of Red Hots candy, 1 cup marshmallow cream (or you can use marshmallows, I just happened to have some cream I was needing to use), 1 cup powered sugar and 3/4 cup unpopped popcorn.
First pop the popcorn and set aside. In a pot stir together the corn syrup, butter, water, Red Hots, and marshmallow cream over low/medium heat until the Red Hots have nearly dissolved. Then stir in the powered sugar. Turn the heat up the medium/high and cook until the mixture just about reaches 240°F (this is also sometimes called the "soft ball" stage). Remove from heat and immediately pour over the popcorn in a large bowl and stir so the mixture coats most pieces of popcorn. Coat your hands in a little oil and (WHEN THE MIXTURE IS COOL ENOUGH TO HANDLE) form into balls and set on wax paper.
You do need to work quickly once the popcorn is cool enough to handle. Now you can wrap these in plastic wrap to gift to kiddos or leave them out on the counter to snack on during a holiday party. Keep in mind you can use any kind of hard candy (in place of Red Hots). I think Lemon Drop popcorn balls would be really fun, or Werther's caramels. Use whatever flavors you prefer and have fun making popcorn balls this season! xo. Emma
I saw these on instagram and was so excited to see what you used for the coloring! These sound tasty.
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Posted by: Kate | October 29, 2012 at 09:59 AM
That sounds super scrummy! I love popcorn in all forms, especially sweet popcorn, so I will be trying that recipe soon :)
Posted by: Betty | October 29, 2012 at 10:00 AM
YUMMM!! those look and sound SO GOOD! I always get hungry after stopping by your blog :)
Rory
http://www.wearaboutsblog.com
Posted by: Rory | October 29, 2012 at 10:08 AM
These look amazing! I haven't had popcorn balls in so long!
Life Unsweetened
Posted by: Rachel | October 29, 2012 at 10:10 AM
these look awesome and a super fun contribution to a bake sale table!! thank you!
Posted by: kellie | October 29, 2012 at 10:11 AM
This is too cute. It might be cute to pretend that they're brains for holloween! xo. Deanna
http://curlyadventures.blogspot.com
Posted by: Deanna | October 29, 2012 at 10:13 AM
I wonder what else can we use instead of red hots...
Posted by: CHICKYTHING | October 29, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Que sabroso...!!! Me encantan los pochoclos azucarados...!!! Voy hacer la receta..!!
Les dejo mi contacto para que me visiten cuando quieran.
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Besos desde Argentina
That tasty ...! I love sugary popcorn ...! I make the recipe ..!
I leave my contact to visit me anytime.
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Kisses from Argentina
Posted by: Pinap Tienda | October 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM
These look so like so much fun! Great for Halloween, too!
Posted by: Julia | October 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM
This is actually a really good idea.
www.suspironews.blogspot.com
Posted by: Betsy | October 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM
wow, there pretty big! oooh I'd love to taste them♥ I just made chocolate popcorn:)
love♥
Posted by: sophie | October 29, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Yum! They look amazing, and I'm sure that they taste delicious too. Thanks for the idea :)
xx,
http://www.icouldlivehere.org
Posted by: I Could Live Here | October 29, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Those are adorable (and sound yummy, too!). What a cute idea!
Morgan
seemomogo.blogspot.com
Posted by: Morgan | October 29, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Oh Yummy! I love red Hots!
-Andrea Lynne
http://madnessanmusings.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Andrea | October 29, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Oh I like Caramel popcorn balls. These look like they would taste like cinnamon heart candies.
Posted by: Julia | October 29, 2012 at 11:53 AM
love this idea! you have reminded me, i need to make some more toffee popcorn and get addicted to it (again) :)
Posted by: Lauren | October 29, 2012 at 12:03 PM
They look good!! mmmmmm
Kisses
<3 Val
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Posted by: Valeria | October 29, 2012 at 12:08 PM
This looks so yummy. I've been dying to make some halloween treats before it's over! Thanks for the great recipe :)
Jenny
bravo-style.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jenny | October 29, 2012 at 12:15 PM
These are awesome! You could definitely make these with red and green Mike & Ike's (or something similar colored) for a festive Christmas treat, too!
Posted by: Amy | October 29, 2012 at 12:31 PM
WOW this looks great ! Gonna try it !
XX Luba
Well Living Blog :: Win a pair of fabulous Stuart Wetizam shoes , learn how ::
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Posted by: Well Living BLog | October 29, 2012 at 12:37 PM