Do You Need A Great Fall Popcorn Ball Recipe?

Do you love fall festivals and need fall festival party ideas? ideas for trunk or treats? There are many fall festivals at schools and Trunk or Treats at churches in our community. For me, you know I would be concerned about what those littles would be eating, right? Fall Festival or Trunk or Treat “treat ideas” is where my mind went today. Great memories and reason for creating a great fall popcorn ball.

In the fall, an encampment weekend on the banks of the Illinois side of the Ohio River brings the best of foods.

Kettle corn is always a favorite smell and purchase there.

Which brings me back to connecting the fall season with popcorn balls.

Can I tell you that popcorn balls were my most favorite treat growing up?

I am a true fan of popcorn. But, popcorn balls take this favorite snack to the next level.

They were always found in the fall, too. Perhaps, with crops of popcorn grown around us? I have no clue, but fond memories linger.

Did you love them, too? Have you had them?

Well, instead of getting bagged candy, why not make a sweet confection that looks as pretty as it tastes…with a contemporary twist on it?!

Popcorn Ball Treats–with a candy twist.

Original popcorn balls simply were popcorn with a corn syrup to stick them together and make them the most delicious treat ever.

It required making the syrup with a candy thermometer and just seemed a bit daunting.

Those original favorites were a bit hard and difficult to eat with a lot of crunch.

They were something I longed for LONG after fall celebrations and Halloween was over.

Something happened when my kids were little making only pre-packaged food items allowed for safety reasons.

Did homemade treats disappear where you live, too?

It seems that’s about the time that people tossed out the “handmade” trick or treats for fear of them not being safe.

I get it!

But, if you have a Fall Festival party or Trunk or Treat or even a family gathering that give you the freedom to make homemade treats that everyone loves–These would be a perfect choice!

That’s where I am today.

Pondering, planning, creating and happily thinking of a new way to bring those favorite popcorn balls up to date!

Popcorn is one of my favorite WW friendly snacks, so it’s made in the microwave in my glass popcorn popper (which I can’t live without) and made without oil.

Love the healthiness of that beginning.

The next thought was that the original syrup always made the popcorn balls a little more difficult to eat.

What if I used marshmallows that gave it a softer texture that made them a bit easier to eat.

Now…it is a treat, right?

So…it has to be sweet and be fall celebratory! Enter the new popcorn ball recipe for today.

An Easier Version of Popcorn Balls Recipe

• First, pop the popcorn.
• Melt butter and then add in marshmallows and stir til smooth.
• Next, pour that mixture over popcorn and stir in until it’s well mixed.
• Then, shape into balls.
• Lastly, sprinkle in your favorite candies–M & M’s, Reese’s pieces, or candy corn.
• If you want to be extra special, wrap the popcorn balls to make them stay fresh longer AND easier for guests to take home with them.

Isn’t this a new and improved version that’s better than the older “candy thermometer” version?

The results, perhaps an easier version to eat popcorn ball with the same great flavor. YES, please!

It reminds me of more of a “Rice Krispie treat” texture and taste.

Who knew the two could be blended to include both favorites??

Some questions about popcorn balls:

• Should I refrigerate them? I think refrigerating them makes them a bit sticky, so leave them at room temperature.
• Can I make them ahead of time? Yes! But, the day of or before gives them time to “set” and still have a great consistency. The longer they go, the sticker they become in our humidity.
• Can I mix in the candies with the whole mixture? Yes, but make sure that the mixture is somewhat cool before adding candies that may “melt” and lose color. Candy corn and peanuts are perfect added when warm and won’t lose color in the popcorn balls.
• Can I add in cute sprinkles? Yes, you can! Be aware that the mixture needs to be cool enough not to melt those sprinkles, too. Decide which look you like best and play around with it.
• Can I substitute large marshmallows if I don’t have miniature? Absolutely. Just make sure you substitute with the same amount to get the same consistency.

Perhaps wrapping those fall treats might be the best part?!

Clear cellophane bags are always in my gift wrap stash. They work perfectly for keeping the popcorn balls fresh and cute at the same time. I actually used the large ones I had on hand for these, and simply cut the top. Because they were 1/2 C size, I will use smaller treat bags in the future.

Add a little ribbon and tuck them into a bowl for serving for your event and you are golden!

Aren’t they adorable?

An additional note: If you are taking these places where people have to monitor ingredients, you might list popcorn ball recipe ingredients on a tag and attach so guests know the ingredients. A simple list of: popcorn, marshmallows, butter and the type of candy would be all that’s needed.

Here’s your supply list:

Now for more Ideas for celebrating the Season!

I am so excited to be part of a group of bloggers that will be celebrating holidays each month. I hope you will follow all of these amazing friends! You won’t want to miss any of their ideas.

Thanks to Carol@blueskyathome.com for pulling all of us together to share our favorite ideas!

If you are coming over from Lynn at Living Large in a Small House, welcome! Lynn always has the BEST ideas.

If you are following along in the order below, Ann at Dabbling and Decorating is sharing a seasonal centerpiece that I know will be amazing.

Join all of these friends for their Trunk or Treat & Halloween Ideas!

Happy Fall, Yal!

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