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Crispy Valentines Popcorn Recipe Easy Homemade Candy Coating with Sprinkles

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy popcorn coated with a sweet candy shell and festive Valentine’s sprinkles, perfect for parties and gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup red and pink Valentine’s sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Pop the popcorn: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 3 kernels and cover. When they pop, add the remaining 1/2 cup kernels in an even layer and cover again. Shake the pot gently every 20 seconds to prevent burning. Once popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops, remove from heat and transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels. (About 5-7 minutes)
  2. Prepare the candy coating: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir gently until combined. Attach a candy thermometer if using. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat without stirring. Let boil until it reaches 300°F (150°C) – the hard crack stage. This usually takes 8-10 minutes. (If no thermometer, boil until the syrup turns a light amber color and bubbles steadily.)
  3. Add butter and vanilla: Remove the pan from heat immediately. Stir in the 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract quickly but carefully—the syrup will bubble up a bit. Be cautious not to burn yourself. (1-2 minutes)
  4. Coat the popcorn: Pour the hot candy syrup evenly over the popcorn in the large bowl. Using a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula, gently toss the popcorn to coat it thoroughly but carefully to avoid breaking the popcorn too much. (2-3 minutes)
  5. Add sprinkles: Immediately sprinkle your Valentine’s red and pink sprinkles over the coated popcorn. Toss lightly to distribute the sprinkles evenly before the syrup hardens. (1 minute)
  6. Cool and set: Spread the coated popcorn onto the parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer. Let it cool completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes until the candy coating is hard and crisp.
  7. Break into clusters and serve: Once cooled, break the popcorn into bite-sized clusters and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Notes

If candy coating sets too fast during tossing, work in small batches or warm the syrup slightly to keep it fluid. Use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid breaking popcorn. Add sprinkles immediately before syrup hardens. Store popcorn in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration to keep coating crisp. Reheat in 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crunch if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Valentine's popcorn, candy coated popcorn, crispy popcorn, homemade popcorn recipe, festive popcorn, popcorn with sprinkles, easy popcorn recipe

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