Description
Christmas Popcorn Balls are a festive and fun treat perfect for holiday celebrations. These sweet, colorful popcorn balls are made with buttery melted marshmallows and decorated with red and green sprinkles or mini M&Ms, making them an ideal snack or edible gift during the Christmas season.
Ingredients
Scale
Popcorn Base
- 10 cups popped popcorn (about ½ cup kernels or 3 microwave bags)
Marshmallow Mixture
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Decoration
- Red and green sprinkles or mini M&Ms (about ½ cup total)
- Nonstick spray or butter for hands
Instructions
- Prepare the popcorn base: Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl and set it aside while you prepare the marshmallow coating.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt, ensuring the mixture is evenly combined.
- Coat the popcorn: Immediately pour the warm marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Gently stir the popcorn to coat all kernels evenly without crushing them.
- Let cool slightly: Allow the coated popcorn to cool for 2–3 minutes until it is cool enough to handle but still warm and pliable.
- Shape the popcorn balls: Lightly grease your hands with butter or nonstick spray. Shape the coated popcorn into balls approximately the size of a baseball (roughly 3 inches in diameter).
- Decorate: Press red and green sprinkles or mini M&Ms into the surface of each popcorn ball as you form them for a festive appearance.
- Set the popcorn balls: Place the finished popcorn balls on a parchment-lined tray and allow them to set completely at room temperature before serving or wrapping.
Notes
- For a colorful twist, mix in crushed candy canes, holiday-colored cereal, or drizzle with white chocolate.
- Wrap the popcorn balls in cellophane and tie with ribbon to create charming edible gifts.
- Best eaten within 3 days to ensure freshness and optimal texture.
