Sweet Popcorn Snacks

Popcorn balls make a quick and easy snack or a special treat for parties and holidays. Take this basic recipe and tailor it to your occasion - the possibilities are limitless! Ask your child for ideas - this is a snack preschoolers can help make.

Popcorn doesn't have a whole lot going for it nutritionally - it's not high in nutrients except for some fiber. But it's light and airy so popcorn treats can be big on size, but not big on calories.

How To Make Sweet Popcorn Balls

10 cups popcorn (about 1/3 cup unpopped kernels)
2 T butter
½ c brown sugar
¼ c honey
¼ tsp salt

Preparation time - about 15-20 minutes
Makes about 30 golf ball-sized popcorn balls

Step 1:
Pop the popcorn according to the directions for your popcorn popper. If you are popping on the stovetop, heat 1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot, add the popcorn kernels, and gently shake the pot until popping slows or stops.

Step 2:
Combine brown sugar, honey and butter in a pot over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat.

Step 3:
Place about 10 cups of the popped popcorn into a large bowl. Pour the honey-sugar-butter mixture over the popcorn and add the salt. Mix the ingredients gently with a spoon.

Step 4:
Grease hands, then you and your preschooler can shape the sweetened popcorn into balls about the size of golf balls. Place on waxed paper or a greased baking sheet. Allow to cool slightly.

Nutrition Facts (1 popcorn ball)

calories - 40
fat - 1 gram
saturated fat - 0.5 g
cholesterol - 2 mg
sodium - 21 mg
carbohydrate - 8 g
sugar - 6 g
protein - 0.5 g

Popcorn Ball Variations

Add pieces of nuts, raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit for a festive touch and a few more nutrients.

Shape the sweetened corn into other shapes. Try popcorn bars or thin logs for easier eating.

Use your imagination for creating holiday popcorn treats. Create a popcorn ghost with raisin eyes, a popcorn wreath decorated with dried cranberries or cherries, or a popcorn bat and baseball for a birthday theme party.

by Kati Chevaux

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