Spiced Popcorn Balls

A traditional molasses popcorn ball recipe with a little extra kick. Drizzle final product in melted chocolate or roll in crushed walnuts for extra fun. Typically, these would ultimately be wrapped in waxed paper and tied with festive ribbons for presentation purposes. Try walnuts or pecans in place of the peanuts for other variations.

Original recipe makes 12 balls

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
6 ounces miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup molasses
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 cup crushed peanuts
2 quarts popped popcorn

PREP

15 mins
COOK

15 mins
READY IN

30 mins

Directions

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Stir miniature marshmallows into melted butter; cook and stir until mostly melted, about 5 minutes. Add molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the marshmallow mixture; continue cooking until the mixture begins to bubble, about 5 minutes more. Mix crushed peanuts into the mixture. Remove pot from heat.
Gently fold popcorn into the marshmallow mixture to coat, taking care to not crush kernels.
Working with buttered hands or a measuring cup sprayed with non-stick spray, form popcorn mixture into 12 balls and let rest on waxed paper until cool.