Popcorn balls need to make a dramatic comeback. This is their chance!
For this recipe I took freshly popped crispy popcorn, coated it in honey-butter caramel sauce, then added some salt, cinnamon, and diced dried apples to make a popcorn treat that tastes like popcorn apple pie.
Popcorn Balls With the Flavors of Fall
When I first thought this treat up I was planning a cinnamon honey-butter caramel sauce only. Adding the apples came later and I’m so glad I went in that direction. The combination captures all the best of the fall season!
Halloween Popcorn Balls
I don’t know about you but I abhor the Halloween candy culture. What was once a special holiday, honoring our ancestors and welcoming their spirits to the feast, has become a mainstream display of candy consumerism.
We do it a little differently around here. Making our treats from scratch, welcoming the season and the spirits, and respecting our own bodies and souls in the process.
This recipe makes 12 popcorn balls, perfect for wrapping up and handing out to loved ones! Leave one out on your altar in honor of your forbearers — these perfect popcorn packages are guaranteed to make even the spirits smile.
Treats for the Season: Popcorn Balls, Soul Cakes, and Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
Want to add some other homemade treats to the mix?
Try My Sprouted Whole Wheat Soul Cakes
and Honey-Sweetened Peanut Butter Cups
Cinnamon, Apple, and Honey-Butter Caramel Popcorn Balls
Crispy popcorn gets a coating of honey-butter caramel, diced dried apples, and spicy cinnamon for the perfect fall or Halloween treat!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup chopped dried apples
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Measure out and prepare all ingredients and equipment.
- In a large lidded pot melt the coconut oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the corn kernels and swirl the pot while they are heating. As soon as the first kernels pop cover the pot. Shake it over the heat frequently, lifting the lid just a crack to let the steam escape.
- Once the kernels have all popped, pour them into a large bowl.
- Wipe the pot out carefully with a dish or paper towel and set it back on the burner.
- Add the honey to the pot and let it melt over medium-high heat. Swirl the pot so it cooks evenly.
- Once the honey is just the slightest brown color, add the butter and continue swirling.
- As you swirl the pot the butter will incorporate into the honey, making a thick caramel sauce.
- Once the butter is completely incorporated, pour the sauce over the popcorn and scrape the pot out with a silicone spatula.
- Set the pot aside and use the spatula to gently fold the caramel into the popcorn. Immediately add the diced apple, cinnamon, and salt, sprinkling them evenly over the popcorn.
- Fold the ingredients together, and then while still warm quickly shape the popcorn into balls with your hands. Set each ball on a baking sheet to cool completely.
- Wrap in wax paper if desired.
Alex
Monday 9th of November 2020
I made these as well and I also could not form them into balls. However, I didn't even attempt and just put the mixture into a loaf pan and pressed the mixture down with my hands. It didn't really keep its shape, but I think maybe adding a nut butter would help in adhesion. Nonetheless, the taste was great! I really liked the apple addition.
Butter For All
Tuesday 10th of November 2020
Hey Alex,
Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that they wouldn't form balls. It is possible that the Honey isn't getting cooked quite long enough to form a stiff caramel. But I will take some temperature readings next time so I can be a little more precise with my instructions. I'm glad you liked it anyway!
Thank you so much for the feedback!
Courtney
Tara Taggart
Saturday 31st of October 2020
Ah I made these this morning and could NOT get them to form a ball! They taste delicious but they didn’t have much staying power. Any idea what I might have done wrong? I followed the recipe to a T.
Butter For All
Monday 2nd of November 2020
OH NO! I'm so sorry to hear that, Tara.
Is it possible that they cooled too much before shaping? The caramel still needs to be warm to form the balls. Also, I used pretty soft and sticky dried apples. Could yours have been more dry? Let me know so I can include your feedback in the recipe notes! Hope you still enjoyed it. Sorry about that!
Courtney