Popcorn Balls Christmas Recipe is a fun and festive treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. Made with popcorn, marshmallows, and a sweet syrup, these colorful popcorn balls are not only delicious but also easy to make. They’re a great activity to do with kids, and they make for a fantastic gift or party snack. Whether you’re making them to enjoy with family or as a homemade gift for friends, popcorn balls are a timeless Christmas treat that’s sure to bring smiles to everyone’s face.
My opinion: I love making these Popcorn Balls at Christmas! They’re such a fun and easy treat that brings everyone together. The marshmallow coating is sweet and sticky, while the popcorn stays light and airy—perfect for a quick holiday snack or a fun project with the kids! This recipe is always a hit at our holiday parties, and I bet it will be at yours too!
Popcorn Balls are a classic Christmas treat that’s easy to customize. You can add food coloring to make them red and green for a more festive touch or even mix in some chocolate chips, nuts, or candies for extra flavor. The best part is they’re so simple to make—perfect for when you’re in need of a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert. These sweet, chewy, and crispy treats will make your Christmas extra special.
Popcorn Balls Christmas Recipe is a nostalgic treat that’s fun to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season.
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Popcorn Balls Christmas Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 Cups Popped Popcorn about 1/2 cup kernels
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ Cup Corn Syrup
- ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows
- Food Coloring optional, for red or green color
Optional Toppings
- Sprinkles
- M&Ms
- Candies
- Nuts
Instructions
- Begin by popping the popcorn and placing it in a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it begins to boil, allow it to cook for about 3-4 minutes without stirring.
- Add the mini marshmallows to the saucepan and stir until completely melted and smooth.
- If you’re using food coloring, add a few drops of your desired color to the syrup and mix until well combined.
- Pour the syrup over the popped popcorn and stir gently to coat all the popcorn with the marshmallow mixture. Be careful as the syrup will be hot.
- Once coated, let the mixture cool slightly (just enough so it’s not too hot to handle), then use buttered hands to shape the popcorn into balls.
- Optional: Roll the popcorn balls in sprinkles, candies, or nuts for extra texture and color.
- Allow the popcorn balls to set and cool completely before serving or wrapping in plastic wrap for gifts.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh popcorn for the best texture. You can pop it on the stovetop or in a microwave popcorn maker.
- Be careful when shaping the balls—the syrup can be very hot, so let it cool a little before touching it.
- Customize with your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or small candies to make the popcorn balls more festive.
- To prevent the syrup from sticking too much, butter your hands or wear disposable gloves when shaping the balls.
- If you want to make these ahead of time, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.