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Six popcorn balls decorated with red and green sprinkles and candies are arranged on a rectangular white plate.

Fun Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Author: Jessica Haggard
Sweet, chewy Christmas popcorn balls packed with festive mix-ins come together with just a handful of simple ingredients and about 25 minutes of prep. They're a fun, nostalgic holiday treat that's just as perfect for a Christmas party as they are wrapped up as a homemade gift or stocking stuffer.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 637 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 cups popped popcorn keep warm in a large bowl in a 250 °F oven
  • 1 cup red and green M&M’s
  • ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, and salt to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture reaches a steady boil. Stop stirring and continue cooking until it reaches 250 °F on a candy thermometer.
    A saucepan filled with clear liquid and a large lump of yellow butter being stirred with a spatula on a stovetop.
  • Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
    A stainless steel saucepan filled with brown liquid, placed on a light-colored textured surface.
  • Carefully pour the hot syrup over the warm popcorn. Use a fork or spatula to mix until the popcorn is evenly coated. Let the coated popcorn cool for a moment, then mix in M&Ms and Christmas sprinkles.
    A metal bowl filled with popcorn, red and green candy-coated chocolates, and red, white, and green sprinkles.
  • Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, grease your hands lightly with butter and shape the popcorn into balls.
    Hands shaping a ball of popcorn mixed with colorful candy sprinkles over a metal bowl filled with the popcorn mixture.

Notes

Shape the popcorn while it’s still warm, since the mixture firms up as it cools.
Press the popcorn together gently so it holds its shape without becoming too firm.
Serve: Enjoy with cozy drinks like hot chocolate, cocktails, mocktails, Christmas cookies, fudge, and other small treats. Add a lollipop stick into each ball before it fully sets for easy grab-and-go snacking. Wrap each popcorn ball in clear cellophane. Then, tie with red and green ribbons, for gifting.
Store: Let the popcorn balls cool, then wrap each one in plastic wrap or parchment and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them away from heat and moisture.

Nutrition

Calories: 637kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 13gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 153mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 14gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 157IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 4mg
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