Classic Popcorn Balls

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These Classic Popcorn Balls are a fun, old-fashioned treat made with popcorn, marshmallows, powdered sugar, and a sweet candy coating. Customize them with food coloring and your favorite extract to match Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, or any celebration. They are soft, chewy, easy to shape, and perfect for wrapping individually for parties or gifts.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword kid-friendly, no bake, party food, quick

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 236kcal

Author Laura

Ingredients

20 cups plain popped popcorn or two (3.2-oz) bags plain microwave popcorn
2½ cups powdered sugar
1 cup mini marshmallows
¾ cup light corn syrup
4 Tbsp butter
2 tsp cold water
a few drops food coloring of choice I used 12 yellow and 5 red for the color I got
extra butter or non-stick cooking spray for your hands

Instructions

Pop your popcorn and pour it into a large bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.
In a medium pot over medium heat, add the powdered sugar, marshmallows, corn syrup, margarine, water, and food coloring. Heat and stir until the mixture boils. Remove from the heat and mix in the extract, if using.
Carefully pour over the popcorn, stirring to coat each kernel.
Then use butter or non-stick cooking spray to coat your fingers so you can easily handle. Make sure the popcorn isn't too hot, then shape it into balls before it cools. I just shape them to fit in my hands, but you can make them whatever size you like.
Wrap with squares of plastic wrap and store at room temperature. I like to lay out the plastic wrap before shaping the popcorn balls. Makes 14 for the size I make them.

Nutrition