Description
This Red Hot Cinnamon Candy Popcorn recipe combines the crunch of popcorn with a spicy cinnamon candy coating and a drizzle of white chocolate for a sweet and fiery snack that's perfect for movie nights and festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Popcorn Base
- 8 cups popped popcorn
Candy Coating
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/3 cups Red Hots candies, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
White Chocolate and Garnish
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, divided
- Red sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 250° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the popped popcorn in a single layer on the baking sheet and set aside.
- Make Cinnamon Candy Mixture: Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir in the salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, sugar, and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil while whisking frequently. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the baking soda.
- Coat the Popcorn: Pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture over the popcorn on the baking sheet. Lightly toss to evenly coat the popcorn with the candy mixture.
- Bake for Coating Set: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss the popcorn again to ensure an even coating. Let the popcorn cool completely.
- Melt White Chocolate: Melt 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave following the package instructions until smooth and fully melted.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Using a spoon, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cooled popcorn. Immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup Red Hots candies, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, and red sprinkles on top to decorate and add extra flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh popcorn for best texture and flavor.
- Carefully stir the candy mixture as it boils to prevent burning.
- Quickly pour the hot mixture over the popcorn to ensure it coats evenly.
- Allow popcorn to cool fully before drizzling white chocolate to avoid melting it too much.
- Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
- For a milder spice, reduce the amount of Red Hots candies slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
