Popcorn Ball Ornaments
Ingredients
- 5 quarts popcorn, popped
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, salted
- 2 cups C&H® Golden Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup, light
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, unsalted (to coat hands)
- Nonstick cooking oil
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
- 1/3 cup green sprinkles
- 1/3 cup red sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies
- 24 candy canes
Preheat oven to 250°F. Line 2 large, shallow baking dishes with parchment paper. Divide popcorn and spread into baking dishes; set aside.
For Caramel: In medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar, corn syrup and salt, stirring continuously; bring to boil. Let boil 3-4 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda and vanilla. While caramel is still hot, stream over popcorn. Stir caramel into popcorn with wooden spoon to coat. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
To Create Popcorn Balls: Shape popcorn into balls while popcorn is still warm, but not too hot to touch. Grease hands with cooking oil or shortening, then begin to form ball shapes from popcorn using muffin tin sprayed with cooking oil. Use muffin cups to help form ball shapes in uniform size. Work quickly before popcorn cools off and can not be shaped. Let shaped popcorn cool completely. With fork, drizzle cooled popcorn balls with melted chocolate, then sprinkle with green and red candy shavings or sprinkles.
To Create Candy Cane Hook: Using greased wooden skewer, create a hole at top of each popcorn ball, then insert candy cane in top of ball until only top of cane shows. Tie a festive ribbon to the hook; wrap with cellophane or plastic wrap. Store at room temperature.
For Caramel: In medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar, corn syrup and salt, stirring continuously; bring to boil. Let boil 3-4 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda and vanilla. While caramel is still hot, stream over popcorn. Stir caramel into popcorn with wooden spoon to coat. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
To Create Popcorn Balls: Shape popcorn into balls while popcorn is still warm, but not too hot to touch. Grease hands with cooking oil or shortening, then begin to form ball shapes from popcorn using muffin tin sprayed with cooking oil. Use muffin cups to help form ball shapes in uniform size. Work quickly before popcorn cools off and can not be shaped. Let shaped popcorn cool completely. With fork, drizzle cooled popcorn balls with melted chocolate, then sprinkle with green and red candy shavings or sprinkles.
To Create Candy Cane Hook: Using greased wooden skewer, create a hole at top of each popcorn ball, then insert candy cane in top of ball until only top of cane shows. Tie a festive ribbon to the hook; wrap with cellophane or plastic wrap. Store at room temperature.
C & H Sugar
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