My Grandma’s Candy Popcorn is a must-make every Christmas! It’s fun and colorful and the kids love it 🙂 Choose any colors to switch things up for game day, a birthday party or any other holiday. SO easy! Includes a step by step recipe video.
I’m going to be completely honest.
As soon as September rolls around, I’m waiting for Christmas.
It’s not that I want to rush the snow, or the cold, or the snowsuits and icy roads. But I think Christmas is my favorite time of year.
I feel like such a child saying that, you know? I promise you it’s not all about the Lego waiting under the tree. It’s just that there’s nothing else we prepare for so far in advance. By the middle of November, for sure, I’ve got the Christmas tree and decorations up and am well into my Christmas shopping.
I love buying, wrapping and giving gifts.
I love a holiday that requires weeks of baking in advance (No Bake Christmas Trees or Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies anyone?).
I love the lights, the first snowflakes, and s’mores over the fire (inside!).
This is my Grandma’s Candy Popcorn recipe, and it’s one I’m sure I’ve eaten every Christmas since childhood except the last.
Since my Grandma passed away last November, I find myself becoming more emotionally attached to family recipes.
For some people, maybe that’s strange. But for you fellow food lovers, maybe you can see the significance of cooking or baking the same things that your parents and grandparents made years — or decades — earlier. I hope to store up a good number of them here!
A simple air popper and a few other basic ingredients are all you need to make this fun treat that I promise the adults will love as much as the kiddos 😉
This recipe is really simple, and can easily be customized. You could add flavored extracts if you wanted, change up the colors for any birthday, game day, or holiday, or mix in things like sprinkles, nuts, candies, etc. The options are endless!
Grandma’s Candy Popcorn
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups popcorn kernels popped (about 25 cups popped popcorn)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place popcorn in a large bowl (you’ll need room to stir the candy mixture in!)
- In a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring sugar, water, and butter to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Stir in food coloring and salt and pour over popcorn, stirring to coat (make sure you work quickly!). Spread on baking sheets lined with wax paper and let dry for 1-2 hours until no longer sticky.
- *This popcorn lasts a long time at room temperature in an air tight container! It’ll be good for at least 1-2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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merryn@merrynsmenu says
Thank you so much for sharing your Grandma’s popcorn recipe, this is just what I have been looking for to make for my kids 😀
Ashley Fehr says
I hope you like it!
Deena says
Have you ever halved the recipe with success? I don’t really want that much yummy stuff around to mindlessly eat.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Deena! I haven’t but it should be pretty easy — all the ingredients are easily halved! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Clydi says
Love my moms divinity! And my grandmas carmel popcorn balls.
Rhonda W G. says
I can’t wait for my mothers annual gumdrop cake she makes during the holidays!
Wanda Tracey says
My favourite Christmas treat is peanut butter fudge.
Magan Reiser says
My Favorite holiday treat is everything peppermint!
Michele Moore says
Since we are remembering…my favorite Christmas treat is something called Struffoli, which are Honey Balls. These
are little fried balls of dough that have honey on them. It is an Italian recipe.
seham merzib says
love gingerbread cookies
Susan says
My favorite holiday treat is rugelach!
Judy says
My favorite Christmas treat is my mom’s recipe for pecan crescent cookies. Just wish she was still around to make them.
Christine says
Sugar cookies are the best.
David says
Sugar cookies are top on my list
Laurie P says
My mother makes an excellent short bread….the best!
Linda C says
Scandinavian Rosettes – my Grandmother started this traditional family favourite that continues with our newest generation.
Ashley Fehr says
I just love those family recipes!
Darlene Schuller says
Christmas Eve after driving arouond looking at lights, we settle at home to watch Christmas movie and have peppermint hot chocolate. We snack on Peanut Butter Blossoms, macarrons and usually a snack mix my husband makes. I look forward to that every year.
Ashley Fehr says
That sounds like the perfect evening! Thanks for sharing Darlene!
Trudy@eatliveandplay says
Ashley this looks SO fun! Love 🙂
Melissa D says
Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year too! As for a Christmas treat I’d have to say either caramel popcorn with cashews or confetti squares! I think I’ll be trying this recipe out this year though!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Melissa! Those confetti squares are so much fun!
Sarah says
My favourite Christmas treat is New York Delight. Traditionally it’s Rollerblade crushed cornflakes but we love it dipped in chocolate!!
Ashley Fehr says
Wow, that sounds really interesting! I’ll have to try it!
Nela Holmes says
I love homemade Sugar cookies for Christmas. It’s a childhood favorite!
Jonnie says
My favorite Christmas treat is candy cane fudge
ssally says
looking for candy, assorted kind, was given a can of wonderful chocolates, but ca not find them