Valentines Day Popcorn Balls Food

VALENTINE'S DAY POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray or coat with butter.
• Pop enough popcorn to fill a 9x13 baking dish. Pop a couple extra cups so you can add to the mix if needed. It's important to keep the popcorn warm in the oven while completing the following steps.
• Melt the butter and marshmallows together in a large pot.
• Once the marshmallows are fully melted, turn off the heat and add in the vanilla and food coloring. I started with a couple drops of red and then added more until I got the color I wanted.
• Pull the baking dish full of popcorn out of the oven. Drizzle the marshmallow and butter mixture over the popcorn.
• Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix up the popcorn and marshmallow mixture so that the popcorn is evenly coated. If you are using your hands (I do), spray your hands with the baking spray or cover them in butter - this is to protect your hands from the heat AND to keep the marshmallow mixture from sticking to you. After the popcorn and marshmallow mixture are thoroughly combined and cooled slightly, add in the M&Ms. You need to wait or the candy will melt and turn your popcorn balls brown from the chocolate.
• Recoat your hands and grab a handful of popcorn and start forming it into a ball. You will need to squeeze firmly while making the balls. Make them any size you want to but make sure they are pressed together well or they will fall apart.
• Wrap the balls in plastic wrap or bag them up - they're yummy no matter what you do! Enjoy!

TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large baking pan; keep warm in a 200° oven. , In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 235° (soft-ball stage). , Remove from the heat. Add the butter, vanilla and food coloring if desired; stir until butter is melted. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. , When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking.

OLD-FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a baking pan and keep warm in a 200° oven. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. , Continue cooking without stirring until the temperature reaches 270° on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. Add vanilla; stir just enough to mix. Slowly pour over the popcorn. Cool just enough to handle. Shape with buttered hands.