Candied Popcorn (Edit recipe)

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Last month I made bags and bags of candied popcorn in colors to match the cover of my niece, K.C. Woodruff's new dark romance book, "Dawn of the Darkest Day" for her book launch party. A throwback to the jello popcorn balls my momma used to make for me as a child. I made a very dark purple, light purple and pink to coordinate with her book cover and everyone LOVED them at the party. While this little treat is far from something we'd enjoy regularly, it's extremely fun to make for a special occasion. Switch up the jello flavors/colors for any holiday!

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PREP TIME

20 minutes

COOK TIME

40 minutes to 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Serves: 6

Ingredients

10 cups Popped (Plain) Popcorn, I used Skinny Pop, plain variety
3 oz Watermelon Jello, or flavor of choice*
1 tsp Prickly Pear Powder, for added color, optional
.5 cup Salted Butter
1 cup Granulated White Sugar
.33 cup Light Corn Syrup

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Process

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Note, these instructions are written assuming the standard serving size, since you have modified the number of servings, these steps may need to be modified for best results

Preheat your oven to 225°, grab a standard sheet pan and large rubber spatula. Add popcorn to a large heatproof bowl, set aside. If you are popping your own popcorn, be sure to remove any unpopped kernels!
In a small bowl, stir together the jello and prickly pear powder so they are well combined, set aside.
In a heavy bottom sauce pan, melt butter then whisk in the sugar and corn syrup until fully combined. Add jello mixture and whisk again to fully combine.
Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and boil for 3-4 minutes. Watch this pan carefully, if it boils over, you will have a very hot and sticky mess on your stovetop to clean up.
Pour over popcorn and begin gently stirring to coat the popcorn. Be sure to use the spatula to scoop the hot coating that will end up on the bottom of the bowl as you stir. Keep stirring until all popcorn is evenly coated.
Pour onto the baking sheet and use the spatula to spread it out evenly. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven, stir/toss popcorn and place back in the oven. Repeat that same process two more times at 10 minute intervals for a total of 40-45 minutes.
Cool on the baking sheet then break apart and enjoy! Store in an airtight container or bag.

Notes

For a deep dark purple variation sub: 3 oz grape flavored jello, 2 tsp ubi (purple sweet potato) powder and ½ tsp activated charcoal powder. For lavender omit the activated charcoal powder called for in the dark purple.

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About This Recipe

Show nutritional information

This is our estimate based on online research.
Calories:	418
Fat:	20 g
Carbohydrates:	59 g
Protein:	2 g
Cholesterol:	40 g
Sodium:	157 mg
Fiber:	2 g
Sugars:	39 g
Sugar Alcohol:	0 g
Calculated per serving.