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.
I first made these popcorn piles for a holiday party and they were an instant hit with family and friends
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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
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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 These popcorn piles always bring back fun memories of holiday gatherings with family
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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 (per pile)
Calories: 95, Total Fat: 2 g, Carbohydrates: 19 g, Protein: 1 g
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This easy and colorful snack is perfect for sharing or gifting during the holidays
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent unpopped kernels in the clusters?
Remove any unpopped kernels before coating to avoid hard bites and ensure a uniform texture.
- → Can I substitute corn syrup in the coating?
Yes, light honey works well as a natural alternative to corn syrup, providing similar sweetness and stickiness.
- → How long should the clusters cool before serving?
Allow the coated popcorn piles to cool and set for about 10 minutes to firm up properly.
- → What variations can I make to the topping sprinkles?
Swap red and green sprinkles for other colors to suit different occasions or personalize the look.
- → How should I store leftover clusters?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness.
