Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls
Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls are a festive Halloween treat that combines crunchy popcorn with sweet caramel, creating delightful pumpkin-shaped snacks. Dressed in vibrant orange and adorned with chocolate features, these fun bites evoke nostalgic memories of trick-or-treating. Perfect for parties or cozy family nights, they are easy to make and sure to impress your guests this spooky season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup popcorn kernels (yields approximately 12 cups popped)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 3 drops orange food coloring
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips (for decoration)
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn using an air popper or stovetop method until you have about 12 cups.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, sugar, and corn syrup together. Stir continuously until boiling, then let it bubble for 4-5 minutes until golden amber.
- Remove from heat and stir in the orange food coloring until blended.
- Pour the hot caramel over the popped popcorn in a large bowl, stirring gently to coat evenly.
- With greased hands, shape the mixture into balls about the size of baseballs and place them on parchment paper.
- While still warm, press mini chocolate chips into each ball as eyes and smiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball (45g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Customize your popcorn balls by adding candy pieces or nuts for a fun twist. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for optimal freshness.