Best 4 Favorite Popcorn Balls Recipes

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**Indulge in a Sweet and Crunchy Delight: Popcorn Balls - A Journey of Flavors**

Popcorn balls, a timeless treat enjoyed by people of all ages, are a symphony of sweet and crunchy textures that evoke nostalgic memories and moments of pure bliss. Made with simple ingredients like popcorn, sugar, and butter, these delightful confections can be easily prepared at home, offering a fun and rewarding culinary experience. This comprehensive guide presents a collection of popcorn ball recipes that cater to various tastes and preferences. From classic popcorn balls that embody the traditional flavor combination to innovative variations infused with unique ingredients, this article has something for every popcorn enthusiast. Whether you prefer the classic caramel-coated popcorn balls, crave a tangy twist with lemon-flavored ones, or desire a decadent treat with chocolate-dipped popcorn balls, this article has you covered. Embrace the joy of creating these delightful treats and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds craving more.

**Recipes Included:**

1. **Classic Caramel Popcorn Balls:** Experience the timeless magic of classic caramel popcorn balls, featuring a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions to create these beloved confections using simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow method.

2. **Lemon-Poppy Seed Popcorn Balls:** Embark on a tangy and refreshing journey with these lemon-poppy seed popcorn balls. Infused with a burst of citrusy flavor and the subtle crunch of poppy seeds, these popcorn balls offer a unique twist on the classic treat.

3. **Chocolate-Dipped Popcorn Balls:** Indulge in the ultimate decadence with chocolate-dipped popcorn balls. Coated in rich, velvety chocolate, these popcorn balls are a symphony of flavors that will satisfy any chocolate lover's cravings.

4. **Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls:** Experience the irresistible combination of sweet and nutty flavors with peanut butter popcorn balls. Featuring a creamy peanut butter filling and a crunchy popcorn exterior, these popcorn balls are a delightful treat that is sure to become a favorite.

5. **White Chocolate Popcorn Balls:** Embark on a journey of creamy indulgence with white chocolate popcorn balls. Coated in a smooth and silky white chocolate shell, these popcorn balls offer a delightful contrast to the crunchy popcorn interior.

6. **Birthday Cake Popcorn Balls:** Celebrate life's special moments with birthday cake popcorn balls. Featuring a fun and festive rainbow sprinkle coating, these popcorn balls bring the joy and excitement of a birthday party to every bite.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS



Traditional Popcorn Balls image

Kids of all ages enjoy this popcorn ball recipe as an old-fashioned holiday treat. One batch goes a long way. -Cathy Karges, Hazen, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

7 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring, optional

Steps:

  • Place popcorn in a large baking pan; keep warm in a 200° oven. , In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 235° (soft-ball stage). , Remove from the heat. Add the butter, vanilla and food coloring if desired; stir until butter is melted. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. , When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 203mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

FAVORITE POPCORN BALLS



Favorite Popcorn Balls image

Here is a recipe my family has used for years. We make the colored kind in red and green for Christmas!

Provided by Hannah

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Popcorn Candy Recipes     Popcorn Ball Recipes

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups unpopped popcorn
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup molasses
½ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Repeat until all corn has been popped. Place popped corn into a buttered bowl.
  • In 2 quart saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugar, molasses, and salt. Insert a candy thermometer in saucepan and boil sugar mixture on medium heat until the thermometer reads 260 degrees F(126 degrees C).
  • Pour syrup over corn, while stirring popcorn thoroughly. Butter hands lightly. Shape popcorn into 12 to 14 balls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271.2 calories, Carbohydrate 52.9 g, Cholesterol 2.2 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 3.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 98.4 mg, Sugar 27.7 g

POPCORN BALLS



Popcorn Balls image

No tricks, only treats here! This classic kid-friendly snack is made with just four ingredients-popcorn, melted buttered, marshmallows, and light brown sugar. Feel free to mix in additional sweet ingredients such as dried fruit, toffee bits, or chopped chocolate to these popcorn balls.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Makes about 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for buttering hands
1 package miniature marshmallows (10 ounces)
1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
3 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup dried cranberries, or English toffee bits, optional

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a large heavy pot over low heat. Add marshmallows and brown sugar and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
  • Pour popcorn and cranberries, or English toffee bits if using, into pot; toss well. With buttered hands, shape into 2 1/2-inch balls. Set on parchment lined baking sheet to dry slightly.

THE BEST POPCORN BALLS



The Best Popcorn Balls image

I have tryed many recipes over the years for popcorn balls when my son was small, these *are* the best and easy to make, they remain soft and chewy --- they are perfect for a children's Halloween party or for the holidays, I usually get about 25-30 good-sized balls with this recipe :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Candy

Time 10m

Yield 25 balls

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
2 teaspoons cold water
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, plus
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 cup mini marshmallows, packed (can use large marshmallow, chopped into small pieces)
5 quarts plain popped popcorn

Steps:

  • Line a large baking sheet/s with waxed paper.
  • Place the popped popcorn into a large heat-proof bowl.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat combine the corn syrup, butter or margarine, cold water, 2-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar and marshmallows; heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil; remove from heat then carefully pour the hot mixture in with the popped popcorn.
  • Mix with a wooden spoon to combine, carefully coating each kernel.
  • Grease your hands with vegetable shortening.
  • Working as quickly as possible shape the coated popcorn mixture into balls.
  • Make certain that the balls are completely cooled then wrap each ball with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature (use coloured wrap for the holidays).
  • Place on a baking sheet.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 125.5, Fat 2.2, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 4.9, Sodium 21.7, Carbohydrate 27.1, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 16.3, Protein 0.9

Tips:

  • Use fresh popcorn for the best flavor and texture.
  • Make sure the popcorn is completely coated in the syrup mixture before shaping it into balls.
  • Wet your hands with cold water to prevent the syrup from sticking to them.
  • Roll the popcorn balls in additional toppings, such as melted chocolate, chopped nuts, or sprinkles, for a fun and festive touch.
  • Store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Popcorn balls are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of popcorn balls that are perfect for snacking, parties, or gifts. So next time you're looking for a sweet and satisfying treat, give popcorn balls a try!

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