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Patriotic 4th of July Popcorn

This popcorn recipe involves heating butter and marshmallows to create a melt-in-your-mouth sticky mixture, then coating freshly popped popcorn with this sweet, colorful topping. The final dish has a crunchy exterior with a chewy, sweet center, and is decorated with red, white, and blue sprinkles for a festive appearance.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup popcorn kernels preferably plain or lightly salted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • 10 oz marshmallows mini or standard size, whole or halved
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 cups colored sprinkles red, white, and blue for decoration

Equipment

  • Large pot for popcorn
  • Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
  • Baking sheet or large bowl for mixing
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Place popcorn kernels in a large pot with a lid, heat over medium-high heat, and shake occasionally until popping slows. Remove from heat once kernels are mostly popped and transfer to a large bowl for cool-down.
  2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to simmer and smell fragrant. Add marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
  3. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the prepared popcorn. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss and coat all the popcorn evenly, until sticky and well coated.
  4. Transfer the coated popcorn onto a baking sheet or large mixing bowl, spreading it out evenly. Immediately sprinkle with red, white, and blue sprinkles over the top while the mixture is still tacky.
  5. Allow the popcorn to cool and set for 10-15 minutes until the marshmallow coating firms up. Break into clusters or leave whole and serve once hardened and crispy.

Notes

For extra color, use themed edible glitter or additional decorative toppings. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain crunch.