Popcorn Balls

Originally posted 3/16/16

Ingredients

1 bag of microwave popcorn (7-8 cups, popped)

½ bag (4 cups) of mini or large marshmallows. (Mini is best!) 

3 tbsp butter

Cooking Spray

Instructions

Step 1: Pop your popcorn. I’ve found that the best way to do it, is to set the microwave for 4 minutes, and then stay and listen! Do not leave the kitchen! Once the popcorn pops have slowed to 1 every 2-3 seconds, the popcorn is finished popping.

Step 1.5: Again, do not leave the kitchen while you are doing this. No one wants to be that guy who burns the popcorn and sets off the fire alarm. You are so much better than that guy.

Step 2: Open the popcorn bag just a little bit, and shake it upside down over a bowl for a for several seconds. The unpopped kernels should fall out, and then you can throw them away. Empty the popcorn into the bowl. It helps if the bowl you have is really big!

Step 3: Melt your butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Step 3.5: Line a cookie sheet with a piece of aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with a little bit of cooking spray.

Step 4: Once the butter is melted, stir in the marshmallows and continue to heat until the marshmallows are melted as well.

Step 5: When the marshmallows are completely melted and incorporated with the butter, pour the mixture over the popcorn. Spray your spoon or spatula with a little cooking spray, then stir gently (Gently: Don’t crush the popcorn), until the popcorn is coated in marshmallow.

Step 6: Spray a little cooking spray on your hands, then scoop out small handfuls of popcorn and form into balls. You can squeeze them a little harder to get them to hold together, but don’t crush the popcorn. Place the popcorn balls on the cookie sheet. If the marshmallow mixture is too hot to touch, give it a minute or two. Hot sugar sticks and can burn your skin, so be careful!

Step 7: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.