Candy Cane Popcorn Balls Recipes

CANDY CANE POPCORN CRUNCH

Steps:

• Pop the popcorn kernels with an air popper.
• Place several candy canes in a food processor or blender, blend until finely crushed.
• Melt the dipping wafers according to package directions. (I place in a microwave safe bowl and heat at half power in 30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval. Continue doing this until fully melted).
• Pour the white chocolate over the popped popcorn, stir to coat. Add the crushed candy canes and gently mix.
• Let popcorn sit for 1 hour or so to let the white chocolate set. Store in an airtight container for up 5-7 days.

CANDY CANE POPCORN

Steps:

• Prepare baking sheets: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a large 15x21-inch sheet.
• Melt the chocolate: Add the white chocolate chips to a bowl and melt in the microwave for 1 minute stirring after 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and if not melted completely microwave in 15 second increments until smooth.
• Mix popcorn and coating: Place the popped popcorn on the prepared baking sheet(s). Stir about ½ cup of the crushed candy cane into the melted chocolate and pour over the popcorn. Toss the popcorn until thoroughly coated in the chocolate. Sprinkle remaining crushed candy canes over the popcorn.
• Cool and finish: Allow the popcorn to cool at room temperature. Break into pieces and serve or package up for gifts.

CANDY BAR POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Combine the butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and corn syrup in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook to 240 degrees F (hard ball stage), about 11 minutes. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and salt and boil 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the caramel over the popcorn in a large bowl and stir to coat evenly. Shape into 12 balls using buttered or greased hands.
• Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals until melted. Place the peanuts in a shallow dish. Dip the popcorn balls halfway into the chocolate, then dip in the crushed peanuts (or other toppings). Remove to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to harden, about 2 hours.

CANDY CORN POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Melt the candy corn in the heavy cream in a small saucepan, stirring as needed, over medium-low heat. Put the popped popcorn in a large bowl. Pour the melted candy corn mixture over the popcorn and stir to coat.
• Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray and roll the popcorn into baseball-sized balls, pressing the popcorn together firmly so it sticks and stays together. Allow the popcorn balls to chill on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to firm up. Enjoy!

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.

CANE SYRUP POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, melt sugar, syrup, 2/3 cup water, vinegar and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 260 degrees, 5 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully so mixture does not boil over.
• In a very large bowl, combine popcorn and peanuts, if using. Cover a work surface with waxed or parchment paper. When syrup mixture is ready, turn off heat and stir in butter and baking soda; it will foam up.
• Pour about 2/3 of syrup over popcorn and set remainder over very low heat. Mix popcorn well with wooden spoon. Working quickly, butter hands and form mixture into balls, setting them on prepared surface to cool; this is best done by more than one person, so syrup does not have time to harden. If mixture seems dry or isn't holding together, stir in remaining syrup.
• Cool and serve, or wrap individually in waxed paper and store in an airtight container.

CANDY CANE POPCORN CRUNCH

Steps:

• Pop popcorn.
• 1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn yields approximately 10 cups of popped popcorn.
• Make 24 cups of popcorn.
• This is approximate-- not to worry if you have 22 cups or 28 cups-- it is a forgiving recipe.
• Put candy canes into a food processor.
• Finely crush.
• Melt dipping wafers following the package instructions.
• I used the microwave instructions-- very simple& easy.
• Put popcorn into a large bowl-- you need a really big bowl-- I actually used 2 bowls.
• Add melted dipping wafers to popcorn and stir to coat.
• A gentle hand is a good idea-- Add crushed candy canes and gently mix.
• Spread popcorn mixture onto paper lined cookie sheets.
• I used non stick aluminum foil-- it worked well-- I used 2 cookie sheets.
• Place cookie sheets in frig for approximately 30 minutes or until coating hardens-- I had 2 cookie sheets and not enough frig space so I put 1 cookie sheet in the frig and the other cookie sheet in the freezer (for 15 minutes only) to harden the coating-- Remove from frig/freezer-- break into pieces.
• Store in airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks (I have not tried storing in the freezer yet).