Like many other treats, these can be customized for any holiday or occassion and that makes them even greater. I chose just a normal bag of M&M's for these (though I tried taking pictures of the sides that looked most Halloween-like) but you can buy any holiday color M&M bag, like red and green for Christmas. Or if you don't want M&M's, how about peanuts? You could even make a Trail Mix Popcorn Ball and mix in M&M's, peanuts, and pretzels! Really, the possiblities are endless. In the future, I plan on melting some peanut butter with the marshmallows to make Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls--YUM.
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
Makes about 12 smaller balls, 9 large balls, or 6 really big balls.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
- 1-10 ounce bag marshmallows (preferably mini)
- Appoximately 3 quarts popped popcorn (I popped 1/2 cup's worth of kernels)
- 1 cup M&M's
- room temperature butter for rolling balls
Directions
--Pop the popcorn and place in a large bowl, big enough for extra stirring room without the popcorn spilling over.
--In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter; then add the brown sugar and salt. Stir until evenly blended, then add the marshmallows. Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted.
--Pour the marshmallow goo over the popcorn, stirring until the popcorn is completely coated. It's just like making rice krispie bars.
--Once you got the popcorn covered as best you can, add the M&M's and stir them in. When adding, try to sprinkle them all over so you don't have to stir as much. The more stirring, the more melting and breaking of the M&M's.
--Using buttered hands, squeeze the popcorn into 2 or so inch balls (you can make them as large as you like) and place them on a wax paper lined pan.
--Serve as soon as you like; wrap them in cling wrap for storage.
Happy Baking!
--H
