16cupspopped popcorn(around 2/3 cup unpopped kernels)
5tablespoonsunsalted butter
1 16-ounce packagemini marshmallows
Purple gel food coloringor color of your choice
Halloween sprinkles
Candy eyes
Paper straws
Instructions
Place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper on the counter top for the popcorn balls to cool once they are made.
In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. TIP: use a silicon spoon or spatula sprayed with non-stick spray to keep the mixture from sticking.
Remove the pan from heat and add three to four drops of purple gel food coloring. Stir until well mixed and the marshmallows are bright purple (or color of your choice).
Add the popcorn to the pan and stir to coat.
Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray and roll popcorn mixture into balls aproximately 3-inches in diameter. Squeeze to compact the balls.
Roll the popcorn ball in sprinkles, and press candy eyes into them (if desired).
Stick a paper straw into the top of each popcorn ball and allow to cool completely on the wax paper before serving. NOTE: if the popcorn balls begin to separate when the straw is inserted, squeeze the ball together and allow the set.
Notes
When forming the balls and rolling in sprinkles, move quickly so the balls do not harden and lose their stickiness which allows the sprinkles to stick.This is a fun project for a few people to do in an assembly line style.