Popcorn Party Balls Recipes

POPCORN BALLS

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.

TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS

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.

POPCORN PARTY BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large shallow pan or dish.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring corn syrup and brown sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin until dissolved. Stir in peanuts. Pour mixture evenly over popcorn, stirring to coat. When mixture is cool enough to handle, form into 2 inch balls. Let cool on waxed paper until set.

WHITE CHOCOLATE POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Line 2 12-muffin muffin pans by placing a sheet of plastic wrap over the pan and pushing down into the cups slightly.
• Over barely simmering water melt the chopped chocolate, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the popcorn carefully to coat it evenly with melted chocolate. Working quickly, take off large spoonfuls of coated popcorn and form into a loose ball the size of a golf ball. Place it in the cup of the lined muffin pans to rest and sprinkle with the colored sprinkles. Insert a lollipop stick in the bottom and let it set up. To hasten the set-up, place them in the refrigerator. These can be wrapped in colored cellophane with twisted ends. Store at room temperature.

SALTY AND SWEET POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Light coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Combine the popcorn, pretzel pieces, 1 cup of the peanut butter chips and 1 cup of the milk chocolate chips in a large bowl. Toss to distribute evenly.
• Melt the butter, confectioners' sugar, corn syrup and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl in 15 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until completely melted.
• Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn mixture and stir until evenly coated. Quickly, but gently form twelve 2 1/2-to-3-inch-diameter balls with either your hands or a large cookie scoop lightly coated with cooking spray. Pretend you're making snowballs, but don't pack them too hard. Place each of them in a well of the prepared muffin tin so they hold their shape as they cool.
• When the popcorns balls are cool, melt the remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter chips, the remaining 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips and the white chocolate chips in each of 3 small microwave-safe bowls in 15 second intervals, stirring occasionally. Transfer the melted chips to each of 3 small piping bags or resealable bags. Snip the tips and drizzle over the popcorn balls. Top evenly with the crushed potato chips and let set, about 30 minutes, before serving.

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 270° (soft-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over popcorn; stir to coat. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into balls.

THE BEST POPCORN BALLS

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.

PARTY POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Mix sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt in saucepan.
• Cook, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Cook, without stirring to 270 degrees to 290 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Add vanilla stir just enough to mix.
• Place popcorn in a large bowl.
• Pour syrup over the bowl slowly and mix.
• Wet hands slightly and shape into popcorn balls.