Party Popcorn
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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.
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!
Party Popcorn Recipe
Party Popcorn
This super simple treat is perfect for any party or special occasion.
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Makes about 8-9 cups.
Love the sprinkles Amy! Gonna pin now 🙂
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.
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
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. 🙂 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.