Mom used to make old fashioned popcorn balls for Halloween when my sisters and I were young. But then her reliable candy thermometer broke, and she says she could never get the popcorn balls just right after that. Her fall tradition sadly ended up biting the dust.
trick-or-treating with my sisters, 1978
Admittedly, I can be a bit of a popcorn ball snob. I learned very early on that many popcorn balls are densely packed and hard as rocks. After almost breaking a tooth a few too many times, I’m now very hesitant when one is offered to me.
But I still crave them, all sweet and sticky.
So, because I’ve missed them so much, I came up with a solution…Marshmallow Popcorn Balls.
The general list of ingredients comes from the recipe for my aunt Roxie’s popcorn cake. I played with the recipe a bit and made popcorn balls, a fun individual treat for a fall harvest or Halloween party. Unlike traditional popcorn balls, these don’t require a candy thermometer, and simply can’t be made into hockey pucks. They’re sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy. And soft enough to be pulled apart with your fingers. Incredibly perfect. Maybe even perfect enough for Mom to revive her popcorn ball making tradition…
My aunt Roxie was such a dear to mail me her original Popcorn Cake recipe cards, a handful of special family photos, and a lengthy letter telling of all the celebrations this cake has witnessed over the past 30 years. Roxie’s mom (upper right photo), now 92 years old, started making these cakes in an angel food cake pan for her grandchildren’s birthdays. So popular, the recipe became part of her family’s holidays, too…green and red gumdrops for Christmas, orange for Halloween, green for St. Patrick’s Day, and red for Valentine’s Day.
It’s great fun for me to hold these photos of my aunt Roxie (lower left photo, holding her grandson), my uncle Arnie (upper right photo), and my four cousins…all having their moment with this fabulous cake. They bring back so many happy memories of birthday parties and holidays celebrated together.
I was happy to learn that this tradition is still going strong in Roxie’s family, and that it has managed to spread beyond the family lines, into the homes of their friends. She doesn’t think their friends have quite as much fun with it, though, since they have taken to actually cutting the cake into pieces (gasp!). When Roxie serves the popcorn cake, her family and friends just pull off as much as they want. I have to agree…pulling a sticky marshmallowy handful of popcorn cake away from its straight pan-formed edges is just part of the delicious experience!
Thank you, Roxie, for sharing your stories and photos, and making this recipe even more special to me than it already was!
Ingredients
- 14 c. popped corn
- 1 10-oz. bag miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1-1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts
- 1-1/2 c. diced orange gumdrops or orange slices
- small orange nonpareils
- 1 T. butter, for non-stick fingers
Preparation
Place popped corn in a very large bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.
In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the butter and marshmallows, stirring frequently. Take care to not let the marshmallows scorch. When the marshmallows are almost fully melted, take pan off heat and stir to melt completely. Pour half the marshmallow mixture over the popped corn and fold gently to coat the popcorn. Pour the remaining marshmallow mixture over the popped corn and fold again to coat completely. Add the peanuts and fold again. Add half the orange pieces and fold. Add the remaining orange pieces, folding to fully incorporate.
Place the tablespoon of butter on a plate and lightly rub some on your fingertips and palms. Gather up a generous half cup of marshmallow popcorn mixture (I like my popcorn balls on the smaller side) and gently mold into a ball shape, almost 2-1/2'' in diameter. Don't press the balls too tightly, or they will have a harder texture. Aim for balls that are held together as lightly as possible, and they will be much more enjoyable to eat. Place on waxed paper and sprinkle lightly with nonpareils.
To give as treats during trick-or-treating or at a Halloween or harvest party, bag individually and tie with a festive ribbon.
Source
Adapted from my aunt Roxie Klein's popcorn cake recipe.
Love this easy to make recipe from Roxie. Craving one right now!
These are so fun and festive, Brenda!
My grandma’s popcorn balls were my favorite treat on our trick-or-treating for UNICEF route. These look scrumptious! (Cute photo of you goblins, too.)
Kim recently posted..Success Is Relative
Thank you, Kim – so nice to hear from you!
These were my favorite as a kid! I am a big popcorn ball snob – I only want the good homemade ones! I do love making them too!
cassie recently posted..Greek Yogurt Swirl Salted Fudge Brownies
More than anything that old Halloween picture with those masks bring back SO many memories. We have so many pictures like that!! These look so fun to make!!
Our girls got the biggest kick out of that picture. Just a hard plastic mask was all it once took to trick-or-treat! It’s such a production these days.
What fun memories these bring back! Making popcorn balls is so much fun! Love that these are so soft!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Salted Caramel Pumpkin Bars
I’m liking the idea of softer popcorn balls and who doesn’t love marshmallows?
P.S. Made chunky applesauce in the slow cooker. Not your Mom’s complete recipe because of the water amount but the slow cooker does make a good applesauce
Paula recently posted..Carrot Cupcakes
That’s great to hear, Paula – thanks!
My Great Aunt Mildred always handed out giant popcorn balls at Halloween….ah I miss her. Thanks for bringing back such a great memory. I may have to make some in her honor.
Sheila recently posted..Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones
What a great idea to add orange gumdrop candy to these!
These popcorn balls sound wonderful. I love the addition of the orange slices.
Mary@SiftingFocus recently posted..Brown Sugar,Pear and Pistachio Cake with Spiced Buttercream
Wanna know something really sad? I don’t think I’ve ever had a popcorn ball. Popcorn balls have never really interested me all that much, but these do look really really good
And I just so happens I’ve got a life times supply of popcorn (go college!) and a bag of mini marshmallows waiting to be used 
Becca – Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Chocolate Chip Cookies
You’ve been missing out, Becca! These are my absolute favorite. But then again, I’m crazy for anything marshmallow.
Brenda, there is nothing I love more than Halloween treats! these are so fun.
Sommer@ASP recently posted..Trout Schnitzel with Spaetzle and Mustard Caper Cream Sauce
I love the old photographs! And the addition of gummy orange slices is a deal maker for me -love those things!
What a great family tradition to revive. I love all your nostalgic photos and original recipe cards…these are some of my favorite memories as well – time spent with my mom and grandma in the kitchen!
Amy @ Spin The Meal recently posted..Tropical Rainforest Fruit Smoothies
Thanks bunches, Amy. I love my digital scrapbook!!
Been lurking and cooking up a few of your recipes. LOVE them. My question: Can you substitute the candy for caramel or butterscotch chips? I had a bad experience with jelled candy slices. Long story short…had a very smart greyhound that liked to remove the candy dish lid and move the candies around until she found the right one. Greyhound goobers are not cool!
Hi Teri! This recipe can handle most anything. I would just be careful about using something that easily melts, as you’re working with warm marshmallow and forming the balls with your hands. I’m not sure how butterscotch chips would hold up.
how fun! Pinned these!
Angie @ Big Bear’s Wife recently posted..Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
so fun! it’s tradition in our house to have popcorn balls for Halloween!
Oh I love this post Brenda!! the pictures are wonderful…and so is the recipe. My kids would love this!
These are just too cute!
Angie recently posted..Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala and Rice
Brenda – these bring back a flood of memories of the popcorn balls I’d make with my Grandmother for Halloween.
Robyn | Add a Pinch recently posted..BBQ Chicken Bites Recipe
So fun! I love all the sweet additions!
These look delightful! I’ve never actually made a popcorn ball but they look really easy and I know my lil pumpkin would LOVE them! Could I substitute candy corn for the orange slices? This substitution might send my hubby over the edge in love with this treat!
Thanks so much!
Natalie @ The Stanfield Story recently posted..Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!
I think candy corn would work just fine in these. I would just stay away from anything that melts easily, because of the warm marshmallow mixture & forming the balls with your hands. Please let me know if you try it!
OH wow!!!! How many fabulous memories are in this post!?? I loved these birthday parties! Thank you for taking the time to document this fun part of family history.
)
I love everything about this post…your posts, the history of the Popcorn Cake, and of course, your recipe. This is the stuff that is so important to document and share….was such a fun post to read.
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) recently posted..Eyeball Pinwheels for #SundaySupper Halloween Party
Ahhhh…thank you so much, Brandie.