Dotty Popcorn Balls on a Stick

I shot this recipe so long ago I?d nearly forgotten about it. Now that I?ve remembered, I think I?ll take these orange tinted popcorn balls as goodies to my daughter?s school Halloween party.

The stick itself is more of a gimmick on these fall threats. Cute, but not necessary, and I?ll be leaving them off when I make these for the kids. Feel free to skip that part as well; because stick or no stick, these candy packed treats will be welcomed by popcorn ball lovers everywhere.



Dotty Popcorn Balls on a Stick
Printer Version
Bright and fun this is a great recipe to get kids excited to help out in the kitchen.

¾ cup popcorn kernels
16-ounce bag mini marshmallows
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons water
¼ teaspoon salt
Wilton Orange Icing Color Paste
7.5 ounce box Dots Candy (Dots can be omitted for regular popcorn balls)
8 inch cookie treat sticks or dowels

1. With an air popper, pop popcorn kernels in two batches into a large bowl. Pick out and discard unpopped kernels. Add the Dot candies and set aside. Lay out a long sheet of wax paper.

2. Add the mini marshmallows, butter cubes, water and salt to a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second increments until melted stirring after each turn. Then stir in a small amount of orange color paste.

3. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Toss well to coat. Wet hands and scoop out mixture with two hands. Press the batter together well. Set on the wax paper. Repeat with the rest of the popcorn mixture wetting hands as needed.

4. Insert the sticks all the way through the popcorn balls. Press the popcorn around the sticks well. Place back on the wax paper to dry. Repeat with the rest of the popcorn balls.

5. Let sit for two hours to dry. Once the popcorn balls are solid wrap in sheets of wax paper and secure with rubber bands or ribbons.

Yield 11 popcorn balls. Prep time 20 minutes. Total time 2 hours 20 minutes.

Recipe and photograph for Yum Food and Fun for Kids magazine, October 2010 by Laura Flowers.