Fruit And Popcorn Balls Recipes

Steps:

• Butter a very large bowl. Add popped popcorn and your selection of the 2 cups of fruit and/or nuts. I like 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped cashews.
• Heat brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt, and juice until just boiling. Pour over dry ingredients in bowl.
• Butter hands with additional butter or cooking spray and form into tennis size balls. Compact lightly to get the mixture to hold a ball shape. Set aside. Wrap each popcorn ball in plastic wrap.
• Option: The balls can be drizzled with melted chocolate for gift giving. I like to use white chocolate on the cranberry/ cashew ones. After wrapping with plastic wrap, I tie with a burgandy colored ribbon.

Steps:

• Combine the butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and corn syrup in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook to 240 degrees F (hard ball stage), about 11 minutes. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and salt and boil 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the caramel over the popcorn in a large bowl and stir to coat evenly. Shape into 12 balls using buttered or greased hands.
• Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals until melted. Place the peanuts in a shallow dish. Dip the popcorn balls halfway into the chocolate, then dip in the crushed peanuts (or other toppings). Remove to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to harden, about 2 hours.

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Put the popcorn in a bowl large enough to toss it with the melted marshmallows.
• Combine the marshmallows and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals at 50 percent power until the marshmallows are puffed and melted inside, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla and food coloring and stir until smooth and bright green.
• Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir with a spatula to combine. Coat your hands well with cooking spray. Use your hands to toss and finish combining. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then sprinkle in half of the candy-coated chocolates and mix. Add the remaining chocolates, mixing to combine evenly.
• Divide the mixture into 12 portions (about 1 cup each). Pat into balls, then flatten slightly and use your thumb to make a hole in the center, similar to a wreath. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• To make the bows, cut 12 thin strips (about 1/8 inch thick) from the fruit leather and loop into bows. Place one at the bottom of each wreath.

Steps:

• In a medium nonstick saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Add 1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows; cook, stirring, until melted, 10 to 12 minutes. In a large bowl, combine 12 cups plain unsalted popped popcorn (from 2/3 cup kernels), 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, and 1/2 cup raisins (be careful not to mix in any un-popped kernels).
• Pour melted marshmallows over popcorn mixture, and fold to combine. You will need to work quickly since the sugar in the marshmallows hardens as it cools. Rub a little butter into your hands to prevent sticking, and gently form 12 balls, each about 2 1/2 inches across; place on waxed paper. Let set until cool and firm, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a large saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in peanut butter until mixture is smooth.
• Place popcorn in a large bowl. Pour peanut butter mixture over popcorn; toss until evenly coated. Form into about 16 balls using buttered hands. Arrange balls on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet; allow to dry and set, at least 30 minutes.

Steps:

• Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Repeat until all corn has been popped. Place popped corn into a buttered bowl.
• In 2 quart saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugar, molasses, and salt. Insert a candy thermometer in saucepan and boil sugar mixture on medium heat until the thermometer reads 260 degrees F(126 degrees C).
• Pour syrup over corn, while stirring popcorn thoroughly. Butter hands lightly. Shape popcorn into 12 to 14 balls.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large heavy pot over low heat. Add marshmallows and brown sugar and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
• Pour popcorn and cranberries, or English toffee bits if using, into pot; toss well. With buttered hands, shape into 2 1/2-inch balls. Set on parchment lined baking sheet to dry slightly.