Go Back

Pastel Popcorn Balls

Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword holiday popcorn treats, peppermint popcorn balls, popcorn balls, wintergreen candy
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Soft red and green popcorn balls flavored with peppermint and wintergreen, wrapped one by one in plastic wrap. A cheerful treat for parties or holiday gifts.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup popcorn unpopped
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Food coloring
  • Peppermint flavoring for red popcorn balls
  • Wintergreen flavoring for green popcorn balls

Directions

  • Heat the oil in a 4-quart kettle for 3 minutes.
  • Add the popcorn, cover loosely, and shake often over medium heat until the popping stops.
  • Stir together the corn syrup, sugar, and salt.
  • Tint the syrup red or green with food coloring.
  • Use wintergreen to flavor the green batch and peppermint for the red batch.
  • Add the syrup to the popcorn and stir over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until completely coated.
  • Butter your hands and shape into balls about 1 1/2 inches across.
  • Wrap each ball in plastic wrap.

Notes

Wrapped, airtight, at room temperature in a cool, dry place up to about 1 week. Refrigerated, covered: use within 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 26g | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 0.8g | Fat: 3.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 21mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 1.9mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 16 servings; popcorn counted as popcorn kernels (air-popped values). Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.