Quick and Easy Popcorn Balls
Here at Brit + Co, we like our sweet treats to be somewhat healthy, bite-sized, and easy to take on the go. Popcorn is a staple around the office, even the bacon-infused variety, so we figured it was time to get a little crafty with our favorite air-filled treat. With help from caramel, apricots, peanut butter and chocolate chips, we whipped up a batch of yummy popcorn balls. And with Halloween right around the corner, you’ve got the perfect occasion to try these 2 delicious recipes out.
1. Caramel Apricot Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
– 6 cups plain popped popcorn
– 1/3 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup reduced calorie light corn syrup
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
Mix the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted and beginning to bubble, continue to stir until it darkens, about two minutes.
Set a bowl of ice water aside for the next step. Line your baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.
Immediately pour the sugar mixture into your bowl of popcorn. Mix thoroughly and quickly and add then in the apricots. Dip your hands in your ice water and then grab a handful of popcorn mixture – about a 1/4 cup. Shape it into a ball and place it on the lined baking sheet.
Let the popcorn balls sit until they have cooled and formed, about an hour. Then store in an airtight container.
Yields about 10-12 popcorn balls. (Recipe adapted from Eating Well)
2. Peanut Butter Chocolate Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
– 6 cups plain popped popcorn
– 1/4 cup agave nectar or honey
– 1/4 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
– 4 tablespoons chocolate chips (mini or regular)
The process for these is basically the same as the Caramel Apricot, so set up a similar mise en place.
Mix the agave nectar/honey and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low to medium heat. Once melted and beginning to bubble, stir for about 15 seconds more and remove from the heat.
Set a bowl of ice water aside for the next step. Line your baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.
Immediately pour the peanut butter mixture into your bowl of popcorn. Mix thoroughly and quickly. Dip your hands in your ice water and then grab a handful of popcorn mixture- about a ¼ cup. Shape it into a ball, roll it in the chocolate chips and place it on the lined baking sheet. You add the chocolate chips after, because otherwise they will completely melt. Let the popcorn balls sit until they have cooled and formed, about an hour. Then store in an airtight container.
Yields about 10-12 popcorn balls.
There are many variations you can add to these popcorn balls. Try dried cranberries, raisins, pretzels, white chocolate chips, yogurt chips, nuts, and the list goes on!
Have you tried any poppin’ popcorn recipes? Maybe one of our fun ways to trick out your ordinary bag of popcorn? Let us know your ideas or questions in the comments below, or come find us on Twitter.
Caitlin has been crafting and craving sweets since the day she was born. When not in her kitchen, she is out about in the wonderful city of San Francisco selling residential real estate or blogging about baking and crafts. Check out Caitlin’s blog, teaspoon, for recipes, craft tutorials, and tidbits of her everyday life.
