Description
Festive christmas popcorn balls capture holiday cheer with sweet marshmallow magic. Sticky, crunchy treats delight guests and create memorable winter memories you’ll treasure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (10 oz / 280 g) mini marshmallows
- 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
- 10 cups (80 g) popped popcorn
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Red and green sprinkles or mini candies (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter (for hands)
Instructions
- Prepare Popcorn: Sort freshly popped kernels in a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels to ensure a smooth texture.
- Create Marshmallow Base: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add marshmallows and stir until completely dissolved into a creamy mixture.
- Season and Combine: Blend vanilla extract and salt into the marshmallow mixture, then pour over popcorn, gently folding to coat every kernel evenly.
- Add Festive Elements: Incorporate colorful candies or seasonal sprinkles throughout the mixture, distributing them uniformly.
- Shape Popcorn Balls: Lightly grease hands with nonstick spray, then compress the coated popcorn into compact spheres, applying gentle, consistent pressure.
- Set and Cool: Place formed popcorn balls on wax or parchment paper, allowing them to cool and solidify at room temperature until firm and ready to serve.
Notes
- Manage Marshmallow Melting: Watch the heat carefully to prevent burning; stir constantly for smooth, even melting.
- Prevent Sticky Hands: Use cooking spray or butter on hands to easily shape popcorn balls without messy clinging.
- Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or almond, or add crushed candy canes for a festive twist.
- Ensure Proper Cooling: Let popcorn balls set completely at room temperature to maintain optimal texture and shape stability.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg