FROM THE KITCHEN OF KIM SUTHERLAND
"Easy" Popcorn Balls
8 cups Popped Popcorn ( example: popped in an air popper, no butter or salt after popping)
1 (12.5 oz) bottle Caramel Ice Cream Topping
1 1⁄2 cup Peanuts (salted or unsalted, your choice)
Preheat oven to 300 Degrees
Pop the popcorn as directed, example: popped in and air-popper works great. Do not add any extra butter.
You want the popcorn to be dry. Then remove all the unpopped kernels.
Now butter a large baking pan or roasting pan. (This means the bottom and sides)
Once your pan has been prepared, pour your popped popcorn in the pan. Spread evenly in the pan.
Then evenly pour the caramel ice cream topping over the popcorn. Then sprinkle the peanuts over the
caramel. Toss together slightly.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and stir to coat all of the popcorn. Then return to the oven for 5 more minutes.
Now remove the pan from the oven and pour the mixture onto a large baking pan lined with non-stick foil
and spread out the mixture evenly. Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the mixture is still warm, butter your hands, and form your popcorn balls. Using about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of mixture for each ball. Repeat this until all the popcorn balls have been formed.
To Store:
Wrap each popcorn ball in plastic wrap to keep fresh.
Additional Ideas:
You can add dried fruit to create a different version of this popcorn ball.
Example: Dried Apricots, dried strawberries or any other dried fruit you want to try.
Enjoy this recipe and the kids will love these pop com balls, even the big kids.