Grandma's Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls

Did your grandma have a fantastic recipe when you were a child? Today I am sharing Grandma's caramel popcorn balls. This is a tasty and fun treat for popcorn lovers and will go down well on movie night. (or any time that you want!)

🥚Ingredients Needed for Making Popcorn Balls

8-10 cups of cooked popcorn
⅛ cup honey
¼ cup light corn syrup
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup water
Stick of butter
6 pieces of dark chocolate
6 pieces of white chocolate

For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

🌈 Substitutions and Variations

Popcorn Base: Use air-popped popcorn for a healthier option or opt for flavored popcorn for an extra zing.
Sweeteners: Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Butter Alternatives: Try using coconut oil or plant-based butter to make the recipe dairy-free.
Chocolate Drizzle: Enhance the treat by drizzling melted caramel or white chocolate over the popcorn balls.

🔪How to Make Popcorn Balls Easy

Cover a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper and lightly spray with oil.

If popping your own popcorn use as little oil as possible.

If using prepared popcorn use low salt.

Put popcorn into a large bowl and set aside.

In a saucepan place the remaining ingredients at a medium heat.

Bring to a boil and stir for about 2 min.

Do not overcook.

Be very careful the mixture is hot

Let it sit for 2 min and pour over the popcorn

Using a large spoon stir until coated.

Let mixture sit for a couple of minutes

Using spray oil, spray your hands, and form the popcorn into balls.

Popcorn will be hot

Place onto cookie sheet

When cool put sticks into popcorn. Be careful not to split the ball.

Melt the dark and white chocolate in separate bowls.

Decorate with melted chocolates

Once the chocolate has hardened you can display your popcorn balls ready for eating.

Enjoy. (See? Told you that this recipe was so simple and easy!)

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👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

Use fresh popcorn and carefully remove unpopped kernels to ensure a satisfying crunch.
Be cautious when handling the hot caramel mixture; consider using buttered hands or a spoon to shape the balls safely.
Enhance the treat by drizzling melted dark and white chocolate over the cooled popcorn balls.

💭 FAQs

Best way to store these caramel popcorn balls?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Can I use microwave popcorn instead of stovetop-popped corn?

Yes, but opt for plain, unsalted microwave popcorn to control the flavor and salt content.

How can I make these treats more festive?

Add colorful sprinkles, drizzle with melted white chocolate, or incorporate holiday-themed decorations before the chocolate sets.

Can I make these popcorn balls ahead of time?

Absolutely! They store well and can be prepared up to a week in advance.

💖 Serving Suggestions

These are my favorite treats to serve with Grandma's chocolate caramel popcorn balls:

Mini Fruit Kabobs: Skewer strawberries, grapes, and pineapple for a refreshing contrast to the sweet popcorn balls.
Cheese and Cracker Platter: A selection of cheeses with whole-grain crackers offers a savory balance to the sweetness.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels: The combination of salty pretzels and sweet chocolate complements the popcorn balls perfectly.