Candied Popcorn

After you pop it, pour the popcorn into a large bowl, swirl it around and allow any remaining kernels to sink to the bottom. Place the popcorn in a larger bowl (one twice the size of the popcorn) and set aside. Throw out the kernels from the other bowl.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Preheat your oven to 350 F.

Combine the butter and corn syrup in a pot and over medium heat. Melt the butter, stirring once or twice. Once melted add in the sugar and Jello package and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil. Allow it to boil for 1 minute, stirring the whole time. After 1 minute, immediately remove pot from heat and continue to stir for another minute.

Immediately pour the mixture over the popcorn, trying to drizzle it over as much of it as you can. Simultaneously, using a big rubber spatula, quickly toss the popcorn all around to try and get as much area covered as you can. Quickly turn it out onto your prepared baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 9 minutes.

Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool on the tray. Once completely cool, break it up into small hunks and store in an airtight container or large (2.5 gallon) storage bag. Repeat with each color you are using.

Colleen’s Notes: As you know by now, I am a huge advocate when it comes to allowing your kids to cook alongside you in the kitchen. However this recipe—no way. The only part they can help with is the popping of the corn and or the breaking up of the finished treat for storage. The sugar mixture is boiling hot and will burn them in an instant—you too if you are not slow and methodical when you mix it up. So be careful.

Initially I washed my huge metal bowl in between each batch … but realized I didn’t have to, since any bits of candy clinging to it stayed there and didn’t color-contaminate the next batch. That stuff really sticks to the bowl and pot … but it is so worth it!

Once you do the first batch and figure it all out, the process is a snap!

Lastly, do not in any way-shape-or-form burn the popcorn when you first cook it. If you do, throw it out and start again. No one wants to eat burnt popcorn.

Recipe adapted from The Mother Huddle.