Description
Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls bring holiday cheer with sweet marshmallow magic and colorful sprinkles. Crispy, gooey treats create delightful memories you’ll savor long after the season’s last celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 cups (80 g) popped popcorn
- 1 package (10 ounces / 280 g) mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Decorative and Preparation Ingredients:
- Red and green sprinkles or mini candies (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter (for hands)
Instructions
- Carefully transfer freshly popped kernels into a spacious mixing vessel, meticulously sifting out any unpopped or burnt pieces.
- Position a generous saucepan over medium thermal intensity, allowing butter to melt smoothly and transform into a glossy liquid.
- Cascade mini marshmallows into the molten butter, stirring continuously until a uniform, silky consistency emerges.
- Infuse the marshmallow concoction with delicate vanilla essence and a whisper of salt, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious mixture.
- Cascade the warm marshmallow blend over the popcorn landscape, employing a flexible spatula to gently envelope each kernel with the sweet coating.
- Optionally sprinkle festive mini candies or colorful confetti throughout the mixture, folding delicately to distribute evenly.
- Prepare hands by lightly misting with non-stick culinary spray or gently massaging with softened butter to prevent sticking.
- Gather approximately one cup of the marshmallow-coated popcorn and tenderly compress into spherical formations, applying gentle, consistent pressure.
- Repeat the shaping process until all mixture is transformed into cohesive, festive orbs.
- Arrange the freshly crafted popcorn spheres onto a clean sheet of wax or parchment paper, allowing them to cool and solidify naturally.
- Once firm and set, these whimsical treats are primed for immediate consumption or elegant gifting.
Notes
- Prevent sticky hands by keeping a small bowl of cold water nearby to occasionally dip your hands while shaping the popcorn balls.
- Experiment with different flavor combinations by substituting vanilla extract with almond, peppermint, or coconut extract for a unique twist.
- Ensure uniform ball size by using a measuring cup or ice cream scoop to portion the popcorn mixture consistently.
- Store popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their fresh, crispy texture and prevent them from becoming too hard or soft.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg