Description
This Red Hot Cinnamon Candy Popcorn recipe is a spicy-sweet snack perfect for movie nights or parties. Featuring crunchy popcorn coated in a warm cinnamon candy glaze, drizzled with creamy white chocolate, and topped with vibrant red sprinkles and candies, it offers a fun and flavorful treat that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
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 cup Red Hots candies
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Topping
- 1/3 cup Red Hots candies
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, divided
- Red sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the popped popcorn in a single even layer on the sheet and set aside.
- Make Cinnamon Candy Sauce: Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir in the salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, sugar, and light corn syrup. Bring this mixture to a boil while whisking frequently to combine the ingredients fully. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the baking soda to create a light, aerated texture.
- Coat Popcorn: Quickly pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture over the popcorn on the baking sheet. Gently toss or stir to coat the popcorn pieces evenly before the mixture hardens.
- Bake the Popcorn: Place the coated popcorn in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After baking, remove the sheet and toss the popcorn again to ensure even coating. Allow it to cool slightly to set.
- Melt White Chocolate: Melt half of the white chocolate chips (about 1/2 cup) in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until completely smooth and creamy.
- Decorate Popcorn: Drizzle the melted white chocolate evenly over the cooled popcorn using a spoon. Immediately sprinkle with the remaining 1/3 cup Red Hots candies, remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, and red sprinkles for a festive finish.
Notes
- Use fresh popped popcorn for maximum crunch and freshness.
- Work quickly when coating the popcorn, as the candy mixture hardens fast.
- Adjust the amount of Red Hots candies to make it more or less spicy according to preference.
- White chocolate can be substituted with almond bark or candy melts if desired.
- Store popcorn in an airtight container to maintain crispness for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
