Description
Homemade Christmas Popcorn Balls blend nostalgic holiday memories with sweet, crunchy delight. Sticky marshmallow and festive sprinkles create a simple yet irresistible treat families will cherish together.
Ingredients
- 1 package (10 oz / 280 g) mini marshmallows
- 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
- 10 cups (80 g) popped popcorn
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- Red and green sprinkles or mini candies (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter (for hands)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously sift through freshly popped kernels, removing any unpopped or burnt pieces into a spacious mixing bowl.
- Marshmallow Base: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then gently fold in marshmallows, stirring until transformed into a smooth, glossy liquid. Incorporate vanilla essence and a delicate touch of salt, blending until perfectly harmonized.
- Coating and Mixing: Pour the warm marshmallow mixture over the popcorn landscape, using a flexible spatula to gently coat each kernel. If desired, sprinkle festive mini candies or colorful confetti, folding delicately to ensure even distribution.
- Shaping: Lightly mist hands with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking. Compress the marshmallow-coated popcorn into uniform spherical formations, applying consistent, gentle pressure. Continue shaping until all mixture is transformed into cohesive, festive orbs.
- Finishing: Arrange the freshly crafted popcorn balls on wax or parchment paper, allowing them to cool and set naturally. Once firm, these whimsical treats are ready for immediate enjoyment or elegant gifting.
Notes
Prevent Sticky Hands: Lightly coat hands with cooking spray or butter before shaping popcorn balls to avoid messy, sticky situations and ensure smooth ball formation.
Keep Popcorn Crisp: Work quickly when mixing marshmallow mixture to prevent soggy kernels, maintaining the ideal crunch and texture of the popcorn.
Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or almond, or add festive sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or colored sugar for unique holiday twists.
Storage Strategy: Store popcorn balls individually wrapped in plastic wrap or wax paper to maintain freshness and prevent them from sticking together, keeping them perfect for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg