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
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 These popcorn piles always bring back fun memories of holiday gatherings with family
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
Save 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.