Candied Popcorn
Author: 
Recipe type: Confectionery
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: many
 
Easy to make party food
Ingredients
  • 2 tbspns vegetable oil
  • 1 cup popcorn kernels
  • ⅓ cup caster sugar x 6
  • ¼ cup water x 6
  • Queen food gels - red, blue, yellow, green
  • Fruit powders or essences
Instructions
  1. Heat oil over high heat. Add two kernels of corn and if they start to rotate, the oil is hot enough. Add popcorn then cover saucepan with a lid. As popcorn begins to pop, agitate the saucepan. When popping slows down, divide into 6 bowls.
  2. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.
  3. In a small saucepan combine water and sugar over medium heat. Stir only until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil then do not stir. Allow sugar syrup to boil for about 5 minutes or until it thickens and becomes golden in colour.
  4. (Note: you need to watch the sugar syrup. You don't want it to be too runny or it will take the 'puff' out of the popcorn as it will wet it too much. But you don't want the sugar syrup to be too thick or it won't coat the popcorn properly so it may take a few trials to get it right).
  5. Remove from heat and add the desired food gel - just a couple of drops. Swirl.
  6. Quickly pour in powder (about 2 tspns) or essence (a few drops) and ⅙ of the popcorn.
  7. Work quickly and use a spoon to mix the syrup into the popcorn.
  8. Pour out onto baking tray and allow to harden. (It will feel sticky but it dries).
  9. Repeat process 5 more times making a different colour each time.
  10. When the popcorn has dried, serve in a bowl or package into individual servings.
Recipe by Hotly Spiced at http://hotlyspiced.com/candied-popcorn/