Popcorn Balls

Popcorn Balls are a favorite among many for classroom parties or to hand out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. I started helping make them as a child and hope that one day my daughter can help me make them. With just a few ingredients and some creative packaging, you can have some yummy popcorn balls that look just as good as they taste.

Ingredients

• 1/2 c Unpopped Popcorn & 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil (If using air popper) or 1 Bag of Microwave Popcorn
• 6 Tbsp Butter
• 5 c Marshmallows (mini work best for melting)

Directions

1. Grease a 9″x13″ baking dish with butter.
2. Pop the popcorn and weed out unpopped kernels and old maids. Place the popcorn in the baking dish.
3.  Melt butter and marshmallows in the microwave. I do this in 30 second intervals to make sure I get it melted without burning or over-cooking the mixture.
4. Pour marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and let cool. It is important to mix around the mixture with a spoon, but do not touch when it is hot or else you will burn your hands.
5. Put butter on the palms of your hands and form the popcorn into balls. I always add more butter to my hands in-between the rolling of each ball. If your hands aren’t greasy enough, the marshmallow mixture will stick to your fingers and you won’t be able to form the balls correctly.
6. After you are finished rolling the balls, add them into sandwich bags or plastic wrap to store.

This batch usually makes between 6-8 popcorn balls, depending on how large you roll them.

Ideas: Popcorn balls on a stick. Add food coloring to make colored popcorn balls. Tie up the bags with a pretty ribbon. Add peanuts, or M&Ms to your popcorn balls.

What creative ways will you dress up your popcorn balls this year?