Save to Pinterest A festive, crowd-pleasing snack of sweet popcorn clusters, topped with a burst of colorful red and green sprinkles—perfect for last-minute parties or holiday gatherings.
This snack has become a holiday favorite in our family, loved by kids and adults alike for its crunch and festive look.
Ingredients
- Popcorn: 6 cups freshly popped popcorn (about 1/4 cup unpopped kernels or 1 microwavable bag, plain or lightly salted)
- Coating: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , 1/3 cup light corn syrup or honey , 1/2 cup granulated sugar , 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt , 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Topping: 2 tablespoons red sprinkles , 2 tablespoons green sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- Place popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Remove any unpopped kernels.
- Step 3:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in corn syrup, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves (about 2 minutes).
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Step 5:
- Immediately pour the hot mixture over the popcorn. Using a silicone spatula , gently toss to coat all popcorn evenly.
- Step 6:
- Working quickly (the mixture sets fast), scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet, forming small piles or clusters.
- Step 7:
- While still sticky, generously sprinkle red and green sprinkles over each pile.
- Step 8:
- Allow to cool and set for 10 minutes before serving.
Save to Pinterest Our family always gathers around the kitchen while making this treat, sharing stories and laughter as we prepare the festive piles together.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl , Small saucepan , Silicone spatula , Baking sheet , Parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains: Milk (butter) . May contain traces of soy or gluten if using flavored popcorn or sprinkles—check labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information (per pile)
Calories: 95 , Total Fat: 2 g , Carbohydrates: 19 g , Protein: 1 g
Save to Pinterest 
This festive snack is perfect to whip up in minutes and impress your guests with a colorful holiday treat.
Recipe Q&A
- → How can I ensure the glaze coats the popcorn evenly?
Pour the hot buttery syrup over the popcorn immediately and gently toss using a silicone spatula to cover every piece before it sets.
- → What can I use instead of corn syrup in the coating?
Honey can be substituted for corn syrup to add natural sweetness and help bind the coating.
- → How should I store the popcorn piles to keep them fresh?
Place the cooled popcorn clusters in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to two days to maintain crunchiness.
- → Can I add extra ingredients for texture?
Yes, incorporating chopped nuts or mini pretzels into the popcorn before coating adds delightful crunch and variety.
- → What is the best way to prevent unpopped kernels in the final piles?
Before coating, carefully remove any unpopped kernels from the bowl to avoid hard pieces in the clusters.