Looking for a thrifty Easter Treat… how about Popcorn Easter Eggs! These bright colored treats are bound to bring a smile to your little ones face! You can buy the colors and flavors over at Prepared Pantry.
How to make candy popcorn:
- 3/4 cup un-popped popcorn kernels
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1/2 cup white corn syrup (Karo)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons desired flavor
- 3-4 drops of Americolor food coloring gel or equal
Pop the popcorn kernels with a popcorn popper. Set aside in 2 large bowls.
Over medium heat, melt the butter in a medium sauce pan.
Add the corn syrup and water. Stir.
Add the sugar. Make sure not to let any sugar stick to the edges of the pan. If one grain of sugar is left un-dissolved, it can cause the whole batch to crystallize.
Bring to a boil and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 235-245 degrees. (Please use a candy thermometer). It is important for the mixture to reach this temperature, if it doesn’t the candy will not harden properly.
Add the baking soda and stir quickly as the mixture begins to bubble. Once bubbly and frothy, remove the pan from heat.
Add the flavor and food coloring until mixed in.
Pour over the popped popcorn in both bowls. Fold into the popcorn until evenly coated.
Once the popcorn has cooled slightly, take a handfull and squeeze it in your hands to form an egg shape.
Tip: If you plan on making several different flavors/colors of popcorn do them all in separate batches. If you were to separate the mixture after cooking a large batch and add color/flavor to each, the mixture will have cooled too much and you will not achieve the right temperature for making candy popcorn.