Glittery Popcorn Snowballs
Back to Recipes & MoreIngredients
- 8 cups popped plain popcorn* (air-popped, stove-popped, microwave-popped)
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- ⅔ cup (215 g) light corn syrup
- 1½ cup (300 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar
- ½ tsp (2 ml) white vinegar
- ½ tsp (3 g) salt
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter, small pieces
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 tsp (5 ml) peppermint extract
- Redpath® Granulated Sugar
Instructions
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place popped popcorn into a large heat-proof bowl that has been buttered. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine water, light corn syrup, Redpath® Granulated Sugar, vinegar, and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a boil, without stirring, until a thermometer reaches between 250℉ to 260℉ (121℃ to 127℃), about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat.
3. Add butter and extracts to the sugar mixture, stir until butter is completely melted and extracts are thoroughly incorporated.
4. Pour mixture over popcorn, continuously stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon while doing so, to ensure all popcorn kernels are coated.
5. Let popcorn cool slightly or until just able to handle, 2 or 3 minutes. With buttered hands or hands dipped in cold water, quickly and firmly press and shape popcorn into 2 ½ inch (6 cm) balls. Place onto parchment lined baking sheet. After all snowballs have been formed, sprinkle them with Redpath ® Granulated Sugar and place back onto baking sheet to completely firm up. At least an hour. Store at room temperature in an airtight container, up to 5 days.
- Food-colouring can be added when mixing in the butter and extracts for coloured snowballs.
- Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg ( ½ to 1 tablespoon each) can be added to the snowballs for a different variation in flavour. Omit peppermint extract.
- Toasted nuts, chocolate pieces, crushed peppermints or candies can be incorporated into the popcorn mix after the sugar mixture has been poured.
*note: ⅓ cup of unpopped popcorn kernels will yield approximately 8 cups of popped popcorn.
