Growing up these gooey popcorn balls were a tradition for us to make for Halloween. When I was a kid , I remember bringing these sweet treats to school for the annual Halloween classroom party. Back in the day when these parties meant an all day sugar high and no school work.
We even handed them out to trick or treaters who came to the door (again, back in the day when everyone handed out homemade goodies at the door – yup, I’m that old.)
Even though the rules have changed – these popcorn balls still make an annual appearance. We make them for Fall family gatherings, Halloween parties (check out our Fortune Teller Halloween Party and Halloween cocktails ) and even for those special trick or treaters we know really well. Heck, they’ve even made an appearance for a random movie night!
If you can make rice cereal treats – you can make these gooey popcorn balls! They’re so easy.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 5 cups miniature or 40 regular (approx. 250 g pkg) marshmallows
- Gel food colouring (orange or green )
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 Cups popped plain popcorn (makes about 9-10 balls)
Directions
- In large saucepan over low heat, melt margarine and marshmallows. Add drop of food colouring and stir until achieve the desired colour. Keep stirring until melted and well blended.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Add popcorn and stir until coated.
- With wet hands, form popcorn/marshmallow mixture into balls and press tightly (but not so tight that you’re crunching the popcorn)
- Let cool and wrap each ball in parchment paper and tie with ribbon or string.
- Add a Halloween gift tag.
Joyful Hostess Tip: Add candy corn or sprinkles to your popcorn ball to create your own special version.
