Valentines Day Popcorn Balls Recipe

For Christmas this year I received a popcorn popper and I was so excited.  We have been married for over 7 years and have never owned one!  I am always pining recipes that use popcorn and I can never make them, that is until now!  So I was very excited to try out a new recipe and I came across this one from Mom on Timeout and thought it would be perfect to try for Valentine’s Day!  They are called Valentines Day Popcorn Balls.  Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 bag of marshmallows (approx. 10 oz)
1/2 c butter (1 stick)
1 tsp vanilla
popped popcorn
food coloring (optional)
1 c M&Ms or other candy
non stick baking spray

Directions:

First pop enough popcorn to fill a 9×13 baking dish. Pop a couple extra cups so you can add to the mix if needed.  (I did one cup of unpopped kernels and I had extra so you could probably try popping less than that.)

Next in a pan on the stove melt the butter and marshmallows completely.  Once they are melted remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring.

Then drizzle the marshmallow mixture all over the popcorn and and mix thoroughly.  Once all the popcorn in covered and cooled slightly add the m&m’s.  (Be carefully to make sure it’s not too hot or they will melt and turn your popcorn brown)

And finally coat your hands with some cooking spray and make round balls of popcorn!  You will want to press firmly to make the balls stick together but again watch for the m&m’s.  I squished a couple of them!

Once they’re all cooled you can bag them and give as Valentine’s Day treats or just put on a platter for a Valentine’s Day party!  They are very simply and easy to make and my kids LOVED them!  I think next time I’ll find a candy that’s not chocolate but other than that they were so much fun.  I’m thinking I should make some green ones for St. Patrick’s Day next!