Save Pin A festive, crowd-pleasing snack of sweet popcorn clusters, topped with a burst of colorful red and green sprinkles—perfect for last-minute parties or holiday gatherings.
This popcorn recipe quickly became a holiday favorite in my family, always bringing smiles and festive cheer to our gatherings.
Ingredients
- Popcorn: 6 cups freshly popped popcorn (about 1/4 cup unpopped kernels or 1 microwavable bag, plain or lightly salted)
- Coating: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , 1/3 cup light corn syrup or honey , 1/2 cup granulated sugar , 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt , 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Topping: 2 tablespoons red sprinkles , 2 tablespoons green sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- Place popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Remove any unpopped kernels.
- Step 3:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in corn syrup, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves (about 2 minutes).
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Step 5:
- Immediately pour the hot mixture over the popcorn. Using a silicone spatula, gently toss to coat all popcorn evenly.
- Step 6:
- Working quickly (the mixture sets fast), scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet, forming small piles or clusters.
- Step 7:
- While still sticky, generously sprinkle red and green sprinkles over each pile.
- Step 8:
- Allow to cool and set for 10 minutes before serving.
Save Pin My family gathers each holiday season to make these popcorn piles together , creating sweet memories as much as sweet snacks.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl , Small saucepan , Silicone spatula , Baking sheet , Parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains milk (butter) . May contain traces of soy or gluten if using flavored popcorn or sprinkles—check labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 95 per pile , Total Fat: 2 g , Carbohydrates: 19 g , Protein: 1 g
Save Pin Enjoy these colorful popcorn piles as a fun and tasty treat that brings joy to any occasion.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use honey instead of corn syrup?
Yes, honey works as a natural sweetener substitute for corn syrup, adding a slightly different flavor while maintaining the sticky texture needed to bind the popcorn clusters.
- → How do I prevent unpopped kernels in the clusters?
Remove unpopped kernels before coating the popcorn to avoid hard bits in the clusters and ensure a consistent texture.
- → Can I add nuts or pretzels to the popcorn?
Absolutely, adding chopped nuts or mini pretzels before coating enhances crunch and adds flavor variety to the clusters.
- → What is the best way to store the popcorn piles?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them fresh and crisp.
- → How long do the coated popcorn clusters take to set?
Allow about 10 minutes for the coating to cool and harden, ensuring the clusters hold their shape when handled.