Party Popcorn
Okay, I’m going to cut right to the chase, this candy popcorn, what I’m calling Party Popcorn for a lack of a better term, is the quickest tastiest thing I’ve made in a while. And there are reasons for that. With just a few ingredients (as few as three, depending on what route you take), and not really any cooking, just some melting, this is a fast favorite for me now. Perfect for a party of any kind. And to think of all of my children’s birthday parties in years gone by that I could’ve used this one for.
Like I said, it’s simple. You only need 3 things: popcorn + melted white candy melts + sprinkles.
For the popcorn, you can pop your own (this is a good method from Simply Recipes), or take a short cut like I did, and use microwave popcorn. I like Orville Redenbacher’s Natural, Simply Salted. It had the least amount of crud I could find in the way of microwave popcorn, and just the right amount of salt to balance the sweetness.
The Vanilla CandiQuik or wafer style candy melts worked great for me. I tend to like using them better than the white chocolate chips. Sometimes white chocolate chips act wonky when melting.
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Basically pop the popcorn, melt the white candy/chocolate, gently mix them together. I used my hands, clean hands, of course. If you’re using your hands to mix, be aware that melted candy coating is hot-ish. Not scalding mind you, but you’ll want to work swiftly. A large baking sheet worked great for a surface to combine the popcorn and melted candy. Once mixed, sprinkle with your favorite sprinkle colors before candy hardens. I had multi-color nonpareils on hand, but wouldn’t your favorite team’s colors be perfect for a Super Bowl party, or tailgating? Or customize to match the birthday girl or boy’s cake. The fun never ends when sprinkles are involved.
I hope you enjoy this easy one. And party on with your popcorn!
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- 6-7 ounces (weight) white candy melts, melted
(substitute your favorite color, or chocolate) - 8-9 cups popped popcorn, lightly salted
(I used Orville Redenbacher's Natural, Simply Salted, 1 pack makes 9 cups popped) - sprinkles or nonpareils in your favorite color
- On a large baking sheet or bowl, gently mix in the melted white candy/chocolate into the popped popcorn.
- Now for the sprinkles! Sprinkle the sprinkles before melted candy/chocolate hardens.
- Gently mix together before candy/chocolate hardens.
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My kids would love this. who we kidding I would love this. thanks for sharing.
So adorable!! I’m going to make this for my daughter’s birthday next week!!
Um, this is adorable. Who knew popcorn could be adorable?!?
yeaaaahhhh, I’m loving this easy and super CUTE popcorn idea ๐
Amy, THIS is genius! So fun and colorful!
Whoa!!! That is such a great idea! I know a certain little boy that lives in this same house with me and calls me Mama that would gobble this up!!!
I have made this and tinted the chocolate whatever color your occasion calls for. I have done pink for girlie parties, and green for a St. Patty’s party. I have also drizzled milk chocolate over it too, which gives it a beautiful gourmet look.
What a fun, simple, great recipe! My kids will LOVE making this with me. It would be great for Valentine’s Day parties, or just to have at home. LOVE this! Thanks. Have a great weekend….
Mmm these make me happy! Love this idea!
i’ve got to admit: i don’t love popcorn, but i kind of want to jump face-first into a big bowl of this stuff!
Okay, I’m with you where was this when the boys were itty bitty? That’s okay we still eat loads of popcorn. Can’t wait to make this with Gabe this weekend. His my popcorn lover ๐
Sprinkles make everything fun! Love that salty sweet taste of white chocolate and popcorn.
Such a great idea! Will be trying this at my next party ๐
You can make your own microwave popcorn by putting a 1/2 cup in a plain brown paper lunch bag and microwaving for about 3 minutes (listen to hear it stop popping).
So cute! Thanks for the idea ๐
I have been making popcorn like that for the past 11 yrs. I’m glad you told a paper bag and I use 1/3 cup popcorn.
So simple. So delicious. So happening right this minute.
This is absolutely adorable and so creative, Amy! I love it!
This is awesome Amy! Looooove it!
Absolute cutest idea I’ve seen in a long time. I cannot wait to make this for the grands!
The recipe sounds so easy and the photos look absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the great recipe with photos ๐
You’ve just prompted me to go pop some corn ASAP! Loving this fun, simple snacking idea.
Love the sprinkles Amy! Gonna pin now ๐
This looks pretty darn addictive. It would be fun to package this up for my kids’ friends at our next birthday parties.
My sister and I have been making this popcorn for our kids for years. I usually make it in mass quantities so I mix using 2 large bowls and a spatula and then spread out on wax paper to dry. I package individually in the cute cello bags and tie with ribbon. Great for school, church, teachers and everyone ALWAYS asks for the recipe.
How far in advance can you make these bags?
I have a professional sealer which keeps them fresh for several days. However, I usually make them a day before serving them.ย
Cute, Amy! We’ve been making some fun popcorn variations lately, but this is really fun. My kids would love the sprinkles!
So simple, yet so simple. Will definitely have some bowls of this at our next gathering!
http://daisycakecompany.wordpress.com
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Think I just found the goodie bag idea for my daughter’s party. Thanks!
Ummm – pinned 7k+ times? I’d say this recipe is a big time hit! Looks awesome.
This looks absolutely delicious. How would it handle being shipped as a gift?
Hey Anne!
As far as shipping, the only thing I would be worried about is it being stale. It’s much better when served within a day I think. Maybe try a batch and package it in plastic bags for a couple of days to see how it is. Other than that, as long as the package is padded, it should ship nicely.
Amy
Looks yummy! Do I have to use the candy melts or could I use real white chocolate (Bakers)?
Hey Rebekah,
I think as long as you can get it melted enough to be somewhat pourable, it should be fine.
Amy
Ok, this is great. Love it!
This popcorn looks so good (and pretty!). My daughter is going to love it.
Oh my gosh, Amy, I’m in love. I adore candied popcorn of any kind, and this is seriously easy. I can’t wait to make it for the niece and nephew!
This popcorn is beautiful!
Yummy!
This is so great! I will make this and my kids are going to say, Oh Mom, you have to blog this! They will love it!
made this last night for a party and this was hit. everyone loved it and vowed to keep making it at future events. so brilliant and yummy! thanks for the inspiration!
Made this for my son’s class party tomorrow. Sampled some and it’s really good! So cute, too- looks just like the picture. ๐ I used melted white chocolate chips, instead of the white candy melts.
Yummy yummy. Great idea for parties.
My daughter gave me the recipe for this.She had a friend that makes this.Oh it is good.Who would have thought?We put peanuts in it.I made some for my Grandsons class and they all loved it.You just want to make sure and shake the kernels to the bottom and scoop the popcorn out carefully.My daughter made it the first time and did not think about the kernels that do not pop.She dumped the whole bag into the bowl.You had to be careful when eating it but it was still good.The colors would be pretty.And the sprinkles would be great for the holidays and parties.good night
I used the orville kettle corn and regular butter popcorn.I liked the kettle corn better.
I love salty-sweet popcorn! I love how it looks with the rainbow non-pareils!
When I want to put in the effort, I make salted caramel corn, but if I just want a quick snack, I simply add a little sugar to the pot over the kernals when I pop them. It melts slightly and distributes over the popcorn in the pot. I haven’t found salting in the pot all that effective, so I add salt and butter after popping. You can use coloured sugar, too. Haven’t tried it myself, but I’ve heard jello powder can be used similarly for coloured popcorn, and I guess would lend a fruity taste (maybe don’t salt in this case.)
I make popcorn all the time, batches large and small, using *almost* the same method described in the simply recipes link. I do not believe that removing the pot for 30 seconds after adding the kernals makes any difference as I get the exact same results without doing so. Nothing burns, nearly every kernal pops.
Looks yummy! TFS!
Now this is one of the more clever things I’ve seen…could have used at my grandson’s BD party this weekend! I can think of a number of parties this would be good for…especially as favors! I was drawn in my your Valentine’s popcorn post..it was so beautiful…looked like flowers! I make my popcorn in the microwave. Would thin plastic gloves work for the hand mixing? Thanks for sharing!
Just when I think I’ve seen it all. I’m totally making this tonight for my family.
The easiest recipes are the ones that seen to be the favorites.
I made this for both of my kids’ Valentine’s parties and EVERYONE raved about it! Who would of thought salt AND sweet on popcorn! I just sent someone a link to your site for the recipe! It was that good! Thank you!
Love this idea! I can’t wait to make this with my daughter….she will have a blast! Would you mind telling me where you found these white bowls? I have been looking for the same ones and can’t find them anywhere….thank you! ๐
Hey Sarah!
I think I found those at Marshalls. I think. ; )
Amy
Hey Amy!
I LOVE this idea for party popcorn! I changed it up and added birthday cake mix to make Birthday Cake Batter Popcorn! Check it out! : )
http://mrsschwartzkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/02/birthday-cake-batter-popcorn.html
Love it.
A granddaughter requests this for Christmas every year. I have an easier way of making it. Place popped corn in disposable turkey pan. Sprinkle white chocolate chips on top. Place in 300-degree oven for 3-5 minutes. Remove and gently stir so melty chips coat all the popcorn. Sprinkle with sprinkles while still warm. Spread out on waxed paper to cool.
Are you KIDDING me? These look amazing. I’m definitely going to be making this. Sweet tooth here I come.
Great idea! Love the specs of color.
Ben
http://www.facebook.com/ghcretors
Made this for my daughter’s 18th birthday. It was a hit!! Thanks so much!!
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Wow! This looks fantastic!!! Thanks for the recipe!!
For a less sugary version. I popped my popcorn and immediately upon opening the bag, I poured a 1/2 cup of the ice-cream style “jimmies” sprinkles into the bag, reclosed and slowly rotated the bag, so the jimmies had a chance to melt/fuse themselves to the hot popcorn. I made it this way, as inspiration from this post, for my girls tonight and they loved it!
I’m on my way to do the Grandma thing with my three grands this week. What a timely post for me to amaze and entertain my crew.
THanks So Much!
Rosemary
I make a variation of this using Okie Dokie Puffed White Popcorn, melted white almond bark, and sprinkles. I made a bunch of this and bagged it up individually as a sweet snack gift for each of my employee’s last Christmas, and they loved it! Super fun and easy to make.
Thanks!!! I’ve made it with M&M’s, popcorn, chex mix, and peanuts and everyone went nuts over it ๐ I like this more simple idea for my daughter’s purplicious birthday party coming up.
I made this for a little get together this weekend and everyone FREAKED OUT, they loved it! I bought the popcorn you suggested (we actually usually have it around) and wouldn’t you know that my toddler, who loves to carry things around, put the box in his room…I didn’t realize this until after bedtime. So, I popped my loose kernels in the micro and melted my baker’s chocolate and then made sure I salted it very lightly adding my sprinkles afterwards. I will definitely be doing this again, and next use the popcorn that is now OUT of my son’s room haha
Oh! That is what was missing on my popcorn bar, and I didnt know it!!!
Im doing it right now!
Thanks!
xG
Just made it for my girls and yum. But my god i went to use my hands to mix and got blisters on a few of my fingers……….. It is really hot when u mix it fyi. Lolol
Thank you for sharing such a great kid and adult friendly recipe – I love popcorn and I love sprinkles too. HERE’S AN IDEA: Fill a clear cello bag with your popcorn recipe, add a bright fun colored ribbon with a small helium filled balloon tied to it. Place a label on it “Thank you for coming to my party!” and hand out to the kids as they are leaving your child’s birthday party. ๐
A fabulous recipe!
Made this for a breast cancer fundraiser. It’s quick & delicious.
I made it!! Here are some pics: http://www.thehibou.com/backyard-movie-night/
Hello Amy! thanks for this recipe! I just posted about it with pics on my website linking page directly to yours. Here is page link:http://muffinsandmocha.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1245&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2 . It looks SO good. Wonderful treat for when im craving sugar. Happy to have found your blog !
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Hi Amy!
I really love this idea…I’m going to try it >>> NOW ๐
Thanks for sharing!
ummmm., really yummy! I have an idea to change the candy melts into white or milk chocolate. It will taste fantastic!!! ๐
So cute! I’m going to make this for Easter. How far in advance can I make it? Meaning, how long does it stay fresh? Thanks in advance for any tips!
Hey Mrs. Smith!
I’m sorry, I am just now seeing this message! Perhaps a late answer may help someone else … I wouldn’t make it any sooner than 2 days out. The fresher the better I think!
Please let me know how far in advance you ended up trying it.
I am going to make this for a party this weekend. How long does it take to harden? Want it to be fresh but don’t want to be rushed!
This is such a nice and easy idea. Thank you I am going to make this for my sisters bridal shower gifts.
So creative! I can’t wait to make this.
I use holiday sprinkles & holiday m&m’s !
I’ve made this for Christmas , Valentines & Halloween!! It’s always a hit & super easy. I love it with pb m&m’s
I make popcorn in a popcorn machine for residents. The popcorn comes in premixed packages with butter and salt. Should I just make a plain popcorn or is the buttery salty flavor good with the melts?
Hello Lisa,
The buttery salty flavor would be perfect with the sweet melts. Enjoy!
Love this. Am making it for my son’s bday party this weekend. Question: do I have to serve the popcorn right away into individual servings in small bowls, or could i put in one big bowl and have people serve themselves at the party? Not sure how quickly the popcorn hardens into one big block when mixed with the white chocolate… Let me know. Thanks!
I hope I’m not to late with a response. I’d let it harden on the baking sheet, then gently break it up and serve from one large bowl. Enjoy! And I hope your son’s birthday was wonderful!
That looks addictingly delicious. I think I may try this at Easter.
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Wondering if I could form them into balls for “snowballs” for my daughter’s Frozen bday party coming up this weekend?
If I do it while still warm, will they hold their shape?
Thanks for any insight.
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I made this for my sons Valentines party and it was a hit! Thank you so much! ย Love all the cute recipes you have!ย
I love these and I’m planning to make these as my wedding favours. How did you get the candy melts to be a in such a “pourable” consistency? Please let me know. Love your site by the way!
I just kept heating a little at a time until it was melted. You can also add a bit of coconut oil or vegetable shortening, a tablespoon at a time, to help thin it out if needed.
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