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
Wow! that looks so yummy!
Xx
http://kendra-genevieve-rose.blogspot.com
Posted by: kendra genevieve rose. | October 29, 2012 at 01:07 PM
Oh man these sound yummy! Love this idea!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Heather | October 29, 2012 at 01:08 PM
Ooh! They look so tasty!
Always in for something sweet after dinner!
X
http://dipitblack.com
Posted by: Dip It Black | October 29, 2012 at 01:09 PM
Oh my gosh, these sound amazing! I love red hots, my dad got me addicted to them when I was little. I definitely have to make some of these now, I think he'll love them. Thanks for the recipe!!
xo. Mandy
http://missindieblog.com
Posted by: Mandy // Miss Indie | October 29, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Gourmet popcorn is amazing. I should cook some one day soon!
http://CollegiateLifestyle.wordpress.com
Posted by: Caity | October 29, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Adorable! They look like little pom poms! :)
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com
Posted by: Laura | October 29, 2012 at 01:27 PM
how cool!
Posted by: Lena | October 29, 2012 at 01:32 PM
i can NEVER find redhots. where do you find them???
Posted by: Rachel | October 29, 2012 at 01:36 PM
LOVE popcorn balls, and cinnamon flavored? I'm SO MAKING THESE! LOVE this!
XOXO
-Daisy Nguyen from PS BANANAS fashion blog:
http://psbananas.com
Posted by: Daisy Nguyen | October 29, 2012 at 01:44 PM
Ah! Amazing!!! I always thought on how to make these but never remembered when I was near a computer. :P You're awesome!
xo
Posted by: S. Mannila | October 29, 2012 at 01:45 PM
This is such a much more creative way to make popcorn, I love this :D And sometimes I just complain about how popcorn lacks flavour so the cinnamon taste can only be a plus!
Posted by: Pauline | October 29, 2012 at 01:48 PM
How DO you come up with this stuff?? It looks so pretty and delicious. My Grandma used to make popcorn balls--my favorite treat at Halloween; think I need to try your recipe.
http://catherinedenton.com
Posted by: Catherine Denton | October 29, 2012 at 01:56 PM
we like to make caramel popcorn balls for halloween! i love holiday treats! check out our sugar cookies! fancytreats.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jess | October 29, 2012 at 02:07 PM
I'm getting hungry here! xx
www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
Posted by: Eva | October 29, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Mm, those look so good. will have to show to my best friend who's obsessed with popcorn!
xo, Clare
http://thewanderingelefant.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Clare | October 29, 2012 at 02:19 PM
OMG these are gorgeous! Not only do they look so pretty, but I bet they taste so good in their cinnamon-y goodness!
Posted by: Yelle | October 29, 2012 at 02:35 PM
This is super cool! I want to make it for Halloween
Posted by: Margherita | October 29, 2012 at 03:59 PM
Oh, I'm a cinnamon girl, so this is right up my alley! YUM!
Posted by: Marie | October 29, 2012 at 06:32 PM
Girls! You inspire me sooo much! <3
Posted by: ligia baleeiro | October 29, 2012 at 07:15 PM
Yum!! I have been craving popcorn balls! I also happen to love cinnamon flavoring so this is right up my alley!! excited to try!!!
Posted by: Leah | October 29, 2012 at 07:39 PM