Similar to today's recipe, we always end up with some Caramel Corn hanging out to munch on too. Today's recipe is a fun one for children. In fact, we made them on a whim to take to our life group fellowship yesterday.
You can make popcorn balls with children but keep in mind that the liquid is very warm. You might want to take the topmost popcorn in the bowl out for them to work with since it cools a little more quickly. It will still be warm but they will be less likely to get hold of the really hot liquid in the bottom of the bowl by accident. And watch them very carefully. You might keep a bowl of cold water nearby to dunk any overly warm hands.
As far as making them, it couldn't be easier. Mix together everything except the popcorn and heat and mix well to blend.
You can shape them in any shape you wish. We made smallish balls so they would be little people finger friendly. These were about 2 -3 inches maximum in diameter.
Normally they are about baseball sized. A friend of ours from school presses the popcorn into a cake pan and calls it a 'popcorn cake' which she decorates and then slices like a cake to serve.If you have only microwave popcorn (like I did yesterday), you just need to pop about two regular sized bags to get the amount you need.
This is another recipe found on Allrecipes.com by the way. Have fun and enjoy!
Popcorn Balls
5 quarts popped popcorn
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup margarine
2 teaspoons cold water
2 5/8 cups powdered sugar
1 cup mini marshmallows
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, margarine, cold water, sugar, and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, coating each kernel.
Grease hands with vegetable shortening or butter/margarine and quickly shape the coated popcorn. Allow to cool completely on wax paper.
3 comments:
Okay, cooking expert. I have a question. I looked up recipes for making gingerbread houses yesterday and am now royally freaked out about the possibility of making real ones for Luke and Anna's gingerbread house party this Christmas. I also remember that you blogged once about making gingerbread houses. So my question is, do you think it is do-able or worth it for me to make 15-20 gingerbread houses for a decorating party, or should I just stick to graham crackers and milk cartons?
(Warning: recommending the former option WILL require an invite to your house where you teach me how to make gingerbread houses:). Just kidding. Sorta:)).
Hey now, I never claimed to be a cooking expert. :)
I have made them before and it turned out alright but I would probably stick with the crackers for a group. Here's why: it is very time consuming making the pieces and cutting them out and letting them get good and hard. 15 -20 would probably be at least a week's project or more, especially with little ones around. Not to mention that the dough is very tough so just doing two was a real workout for my poor hands. Plus the pieces still break and then you're talking devastation and emotional scarring. Making actual ones is probably more of a one-on-one with your kids kind of thing.
You could get creative and make mini-ones but it would still be time consuming. If you want to do something different, try going down the supermarket cookie/cracker aisle but this time look at them in terms of shapes and building material. That's actually where I start when I'm doing something like that. Rounds can become wheels or windows or wishing wells. Squares are traditional windows, doors, chimneys, furniture, paving stones, etc. Animals like bears, dogs, fish, etc. are fun too. You know, you're pretty creative with that stuff.
I do recommend using royal icing though. It's really great 'cement,' better than buttercream or typical canned frosting. Have fun. And if you decide to do traditional houses, let me know. I'll be glad to help out or even let you borrow my cool (present from my brother) gingerbread house cookie cutters.
Oooh, a gluten free recipe. I'm going to have to try this.
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