Description
Cotton Candy Popcorn is a colorful, sweet, and crunchy snack that tastes just like cotton candy! Perfect for parties, carnivals, or whenever you want a fun twist on regular popcorn.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups popped popcorn (plain, air-popped or lightly salted)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring (or to taste)
- Gel food coloring (pink, blue, or your choice)
Instructions
- Place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, and salt. Stir until the mixture begins to boil.
- Stop stirring and allow it to boil for 3–4 minutes, or until the sugar mixture reaches about 235°F (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the cotton candy flavoring and a few drops of your chosen food coloring.
- Immediately pour the mixture over the popcorn and toss gently with a spatula to coat evenly. Work quickly before it sets.
- Spread the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer and let it cool completely.
- Once cooled, break into clusters and serve.
Notes
- You can divide the batch and use multiple food colorings for a rainbow effect.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days to keep it crisp.
- Be careful when working with hot sugar—it can burn quickly.
- For an extra sparkle, you can add edible glitter or sprinkles before the popcorn cools.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg