Print

Spooky Salted Caramel Popcorn Balls: Easy Halloween Treat

Spooky Salted Caramel Popcorn Balls - featured image
Print Recipe

These spooky salted caramel popcorn balls are the perfect Halloween treat because they are ridiculously easy to make, but they look like you spent hours in the kitchen. The salty-sweet combo is basically irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • Black food coloring (optional)
  • Wax paper or parchment paper

Instructions

  1. Pop the popcorn: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 3 popcorn kernels. When those kernels pop, add the remaining 1/2 cup of kernels. Cover the pot and shake it gently every few seconds. Once the popping slows to about 2 seconds between pops, remove from heat. Let it sit for 1 minute to finish popping. You should have about 8 to 10 cups of popcorn. Remove any unpopped kernels and set the popcorn aside in a large bowl.
  2. Prepare your workspace: While the popcorn is cooling, line a baking sheet with wax paper. Cut additional wax paper into 8×8 inch squares for wrapping. Lightly butter your hands or put on disposable gloves.
  3. Make the caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. This takes about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the condensed milk: Once the butter and sugar are combined, stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Continue stirring and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Let it boil for 2 minutes without stirring. The caramel will darken slightly and thicken. (If using a candy thermometer, it should read 245°F.)
  5. Finish the caramel: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up and become lighter in color. If using black food coloring, add it now and stir until the color is even.
  6. Combine popcorn and caramel: Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn in the large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to gently fold the caramel into the popcorn, coating as many kernels as possible without crushing the popcorn.
  7. Shape the balls: While the mixture is still warm (but not burning hot), scoop out about 1/2 cup of the caramel popcorn. Using your buttered hands or gloves, shape it into a ball. Press firmly but gently so the ball holds together. Place the ball on the prepared wax paper. Repeat with the remaining mixture. You should get about 10 to 12 popcorn balls.
  8. Add the finishing touch: While the popcorn balls are still slightly warm, sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top. Press the salt gently so it sticks. Let the balls cool completely for about 15 minutes.
  9. Wrap and serve: Once the popcorn balls are cool and firm, wrap each one in a wax paper square. Twist the ends to seal. They are ready to serve immediately or store for later.

Notes

Work quickly as the caramel starts setting the moment you take it off the heat. Have everything ready before you start. If the caramel becomes too thick or hardens before you finish shaping, pop the saucepan back on low heat for a few seconds and stir gently. The flavors develop over time; day-old popcorn balls taste even better.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween treats, popcorn balls, salted caramel, easy Halloween recipe, caramel popcorn, spooky snacks, party treats

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/spooky-salted-caramel-popcorn-balls-easy-halloween-treat/