Get ready to transform your movie night with a magical twist! Cotton Candy Popcorn combines the nostalgic sweetness of carnival cotton candy with the satisfying crunch of freshly popped popcorn. This delightful treat brings the whimsy of the fairground right to your living room.
Perfect for birthday parties, sleepovers, or anytime you need a colorful pick-me-up, this vibrant snack is sure to bring smiles all around. The beautiful pastel colors and sweet aroma will transport you straight to childhood memories while creating new ones with friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This
- Simple to make with just a handful of ingredients you likely already have
- Customizable colors to match any party theme or holiday
- Kid-friendly recipe that doubles as a fun activity
- Makes ordinary movie nights feel special and festive
- Stores well for days in an airtight container
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
- 16 ounce package marshmallow or vanilla candy melts
- 2 cups cotton candy, torn into small pieces
- 3 ounces blue candy melts
- 3 ounces pink candy melts
- 1/4 cup colorful sprinkles
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Make sure you have plenty of counter space to work with, as you’ll be spreading the popcorn out to cool. Have all your ingredients measured and ready to go before starting, as the candy coating sets quickly.
- Place the marshmallow or vanilla candy melts in a large microwave-safe bowl. Follow the melting instructions on the package, typically microwaving in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring between each interval, until completely smooth and melted. Be careful not to overheat, as candy melts can seize if they get too hot.
- Place 8 cups of the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl (keep the remaining 4 cups separate for later). Pour the melted white candy coating over the popcorn and immediately stir with a rubber spatula, gently folding to coat all the popcorn pieces evenly. Work quickly but carefully to prevent the coating from hardening before all pieces are covered.
- Once the popcorn is coated with the white candy mixture, gently fold in the torn cotton candy pieces. Try to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture without crushing them too much – the goal is to have visible pieces of cotton candy in the final treat.
- Spread the white candy-coated popcorn mixture onto one of the prepared baking sheets in an even layer. Immediately sprinkle with the colorful sprinkles while the coating is still soft so they’ll stick to the popcorn. Allow this to cool and set for about 15 minutes.
- Divide the remaining 4 cups of popcorn equally between two medium-sized bowls (2 cups in each). In separate microwave-safe bowls, melt the blue candy melts in one and the pink candy melts in the other, following the same melting instructions as before.
- Pour the melted blue candy coating over one bowl of popcorn and the melted pink candy coating over the other bowl. Working quickly, stir each bowl separately until the popcorn is evenly coated with its respective color. Spread each colored batch onto the second prepared baking sheet, keeping the blue and pink popcorn somewhat separated so the colors stay distinct.
- Let all the popcorn cool completely until the candy coating has hardened, about 30-45 minutes. Once set, gently break apart any large clumps, then combine the white, blue, and pink popcorn in a large serving bowl or container, creating a colorful cotton candy-inspired mix.
- Serve immediately in a large bowl for sharing, or portion into individual bags for treats. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For best texture and freshness, keep away from humidity, which can make the popcorn and cotton candy become sticky.
Tips & Variations
- For extra cotton candy flavor, add a tablespoon of crushed cotton candy to the warm popcorn.
- Try purple and teal colors for a mermaid theme, or red and green for holiday parties.
- Make it more decadent by drizzling with white chocolate after cooling.
- For a less sweet version, use half the amount of sugar coating and mix with plain popcorn.
- If cotton candy flavoring isn’t available, substitute vanilla extract with a drop of almond extract.
- Make ahead and store in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this whimsical popcorn in paper cones for an authentic carnival experience, or fill clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for party favors. For a complete movie night spread, pair with more savory snacks like pretzel sticks or cheese puffs to balance the sweetness.
This colorful treat also makes a beautiful centerpiece for dessert tables when piled high in a clear glass bowl. Add some actual cotton candy on sticks around the display for an extra magical touch!
Notes
- The popcorn will crisp up as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems slightly sticky when first removed from the oven.
- Work quickly when adding the hot sugar mixture to the popcorn as it hardens fast.
- For best results, use freshly popped popcorn rather than pre-popped varieties.
- Store in an airtight container away from humidity to maintain the crunch.
FAQs
Can I use microwave popcorn instead of plain kernels?
Yes, but choose an unflavored or lightly salted variety. Butter-flavored microwave popcorn may clash with the cotton candy flavor.
Why did my popcorn turn out sticky?
The popcorn may be sticky if it wasn’t baked long enough or if you live in a humid climate. Try baking it for 5-10 minutes longer next time.
Can I make this recipe without corn syrup?
Yes, you can substitute honey or golden syrup, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
How do I prevent the colors from mixing into purple?
Apply each colored mixture separately to different portions of popcorn, then gently combine them after they’ve cooled slightly.
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