Pink Popcorn Recipe
Pink Popcorn is a delightful and colorful twist on the classic snack. This sweet treat features crispy popcorn coated in a homemade pink candy syrup made from sugar, half and half, corn syrup, and vanilla, resulting in a fun and festive snack perfect for parties and special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 cups of pink popcorn 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Popcorn
- 12 cups popped popcorn
Candy Coating
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup half and half or evaporated milk
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 drops red or pink food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the Popcorn: Pop the popcorn using your preferred method and measure out 12 cups. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and carefully remove any unpopped kernels to avoid any unpleasant bites.
- Make the Candy Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, half and half (or evaporated milk), light corn syrup, and salt. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture comes to a boil. Let it boil gently for 3 to 4 minutes, which helps the syrup thicken and develop a candy-like consistency.
- Add Flavor and Color: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and the red or pink food coloring drops until the syrup is evenly blended and reaches the desired vibrant pink shade.
- Coat the Popcorn: Pour the pink syrup evenly over the bowl of popcorn. Gently stir using a spatula or large spoon to make sure all the popcorn is fully coated with the syrup without crushing the popcorn pieces.
- Cool and Serve: Spread the coated popcorn evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray. Allow it to cool completely until the candy coating hardens and the popcorn becomes crisp. Once cooled, break into clusters if necessary and serve.
Notes
- Ensure you remove all unpopped kernels before coating to prevent choking hazards.
- The boiling time of 3–4 minutes is critical for achieving the proper candy consistency—avoid over or under-boiling.
- You can adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve a lighter or deeper pink color depending on preference.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain crispness for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute half and half with a plant-based milk, but note that the candy syrup texture may slightly vary.
Keywords: pink popcorn, sweet popcorn, candy popcorn, party snack, colored popcorn
Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/pink-popcorn-recipe/
