Save A festive, crowd-pleasing snack of sweet popcorn clusters, topped with a burst of colorful red and green sprinkles—perfect for last-minute parties or holiday gatherings.
This recipe has been a staple for my holiday celebrations because everyone enjoys the crunchy texture combined with the festive look.
Ingredients
- Popcorn: 6 cups freshly popped popcorn (about 1/4 cup unpopped kernels or 1 microwavable bag, plain or lightly salted)
- Coating: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup light corn syrup or honey 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Topping: 2 tablespoons red sprinkles 2 tablespoons green sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- Place popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Remove any unpopped kernels.
- Step 3:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in corn syrup, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves (about 2 minutes).
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Step 5:
- Immediately pour the hot mixture over the popcorn. Using a silicone spatula, gently toss to coat all popcorn evenly.
- Step 6:
- Working quickly (the mixture sets fast), scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet, forming small piles or clusters.
- Step 7:
- While still sticky, generously sprinkle red and green sprinkles over each pile.
- Step 8:
- Allow to cool and set for 10 minutes before serving.
Save This snack always brings my family together, especially during the holidays when we share stories over these sweet, colorful treats.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl Small saucepan Silicone spatula Baking sheet Parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (butter). May contain traces of soy or gluten if using flavored popcorn or sprinkles—check labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 95 Total Fat 2 g Carbohydrates 19 g Protein 1 g per pile
Save Enjoy this quick festive treat that brightens any gathering and satisfies your sweet tooth.
Common Questions
- → What kind of popcorn works best for this snack?
Freshly popped plain or lightly salted popcorn is recommended to balance the sweetness and ensure a crisp texture.
- → Can I use honey instead of corn syrup?
Yes, honey can be substituted for corn syrup to add natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile.
- → How can I make the popcorn clusters crunchier?
Add chopped nuts or mini pretzels before coating to introduce extra crunch and texture variety.
- → How should I store leftover popcorn piles?
Keep the popcorn piles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness.
- → Are there alternative topping options?
You can swap the red and green sprinkles for other colors or small candies to suit different occasions or themes.