Candy Coated Jello Popcorn In the Kids' Kitchen from www.inthekidskitchen.com
Introduction
Jello popcorn is a fun and unique snack that combines the sweet and fruity flavors of Jello with the salty crunch of popcorn. It's easy to make and perfect for snacking on while watching movies or hanging out with friends. In this article, we'll go over the ingredient list, step-by-step instructions, and nutrition information for this delicious treat.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make Jello popcorn: - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels - 1/2 cup butter - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup light corn syrup - 1 package Jello (any flavor) - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Popcorn
The first ingredient you'll need is popcorn kernels. You can use any brand of kernels you like, but I recommend using a high-quality brand to ensure that your popcorn pops evenly and has a good texture. You'll need 1/2 cup of kernels, which should yield around 16 cups of popped popcorn.
Butter
Next up is butter. You'll need 1/2 cup of unsalted butter for this recipe. I recommend using unsalted butter so that you can control the amount of salt in the recipe. If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it, but be aware that your popcorn will be saltier.
Sugar
You'll also need granulated sugar for this recipe. You'll need 1/2 cup of sugar, which will give the popcorn its sweetness.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is used in this recipe to help the caramel mixture stick to the popcorn. You'll need 1/2 cup of light corn syrup.
Jello
The star ingredient in this recipe is Jello! You can use any flavor of Jello you like, but keep in mind that some flavors may be more overpowering than others. For this recipe, you'll need one package of Jello.
Baking soda
Finally, you'll need 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. This will help the caramel mixture become light and airy, resulting in a crispy texture on the popcorn.
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients, it's time to make Jello popcorn! Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Pop the popcorn
The first step is to pop the popcorn. You can do this using an air popper, a popcorn machine, or on the stove. If you're popping the popcorn on the stove, add 1/4 cup of oil and 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels to a large pot with a lid. Heat the pot over medium-high heat, shaking it occasionally, until the popping slows down.
Step 2: Make the caramel mixture
Once the popcorn is popped, transfer it to a large bowl. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar and corn syrup and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Add the Jello and baking soda
After 2 minutes, remove the caramel mixture from the heat and whisk in the Jello and baking soda. Be careful, as the mixture will foam up quite a bit when you add the baking soda. Keep whisking until the Jello is fully dissolved and the mixture becomes light and airy.
Step 4: Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn
Once the caramel mixture is fully combined, pour it over the popcorn and stir to coat evenly. Make sure you stir gently, as you don't want to crush the popcorn.
Step 5: Bake the popcorn
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the popcorn out onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the popcorn for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure that it cooks evenly.
Step 6: Let the popcorn cool
Once the popcorn is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. This will allow the caramel to harden and become crispy.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Once the popcorn is cool, it's ready to eat! Serve it in a large bowl and enjoy the sweet and salty combination of flavors.
Nutrition
While Jello popcorn is a delicious treat, it's important to keep in mind that it's not the healthiest snack option. Here's the nutrition information for one serving (1 cup) of Jello popcorn: - Calories: 120 - Total fat: 5g - Saturated fat: 3g - Trans fat: 0g - Cholesterol: 15mg - Sodium: 75mg - Total carbohydrates: 18g - Dietary fiber: 1g - Sugars: 12g - Protein: 1g As you can see, Jello popcorn is fairly high in calories and sugar. It's best enjoyed in moderation as a special treat, rather than as a daily snack.
Conclusion
Jello popcorn is a fun and unique snack that's perfect for satisfying your sweet and salty cravings. With just a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can make this delicious treat at home. Whether you're snacking on it while watching a movie or sharing it with friends, Jello popcorn is sure to be a hit!
