Marshmallows and hot chocolate are a fun addition to popcorn balls. These Hot Chocolate Popcorn Balls are easy to put together and would be perfect for any Valentine's party this week.
We like to make fun treats from time to time around here. Not that you are surprised by that fact at all because most of the fun treats get shared with you too. But sometimes those fun treats get made and and eaten before they ever make it here.
These popcorn balls were a treat I made for my kids last year. I have been wanting to make them again, so I could share them, but before I knew it a whole year had passed.
This past week I made another batch of popcorn and set aside what I needed to make these yummy treats.
You are going to make them just like a rice krispie treat, but with some white chocolate and hot chocolate mix added to the melted marshmallows.
I found that the easiest way to form the balls was to gently press the warm mixture into a buttered 9x13 pan. Do not press it tight at all! Pressing rice krispie treats too firmly makes them hard, and I have a feeling it would do the same to these.
The pan is just so you can measure each ball without eyeballing it. Use a hot knife to cut the mixture into 12 even squares.
Take each square and gently form it into a ball. Again, do not press it too tightly together! While the mixture is still soft, press a striped straw down into the center and form the ball around it. Be gentle. Then place them on a piece of wax paper or cupcake liner to cool completely.
Now you could go ahead and eat them just like this. But I have this crazy habit that doesn't let me do anything plain. I love to top our hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles, so I decided to mimic that look on the popcorn balls.
A drizzle of white chocolate, a few sprinkles, and of course more mini marshmallow bits turns these plain popcorn ball into popcorn balls with style.
I'll take style over plain any day of the week. My family doesn't always agree with me on this though.
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Recipe
Hot Chocolate Popcorn Balls
Hot chocolate and marshmallows turn these popcorn balls into a fun party treat.
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 6 Tablespoons hot chocolate mix
- ¼ cup white chocolate melting wafers
- sprinkles
- mini marshmallow bits
- straws
Instructions
- Place the mini marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan. Heat over low/medium heat until melted and creamy.
- Stir in the white chocolate chips and stir again until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and stir again.
- Pour over the popcorn that is in a bowl. Stir to cover all the pieces.
- Dump the popcorn mixture into a buttered 9x13 pan. Spread it out gently, but do not press it down .
- Cut the mixture into 12 even squares. Form each square into a ball, but do not press it together too firmly.
- Press a straw down into the center of each one. Let set until completely cool.
- Melt the white melting wafers in the microwave according to the package directions. Spoon into a plastic baggie and cut one corner off. Drizzle the tops of each ball with melted chocolate.
- Top with sprinkles and mini marshmallow bits. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 244Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 145mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
More ways we like to enjoy hot chocolate in our baking:
Shannon @ Bake.Frost.Repeat
So cute!! I love everything about these!
Mary Frances
You make the most fun treats! (I was going to say funnest ... actually, I will say it - it fits these! 😉 These are the funnest little popcorn balls and I love the hot cocoa twist!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha! Thanks girl!! 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita
These are so darn cute!! I love the mini marshmallows and that they're on a stick. So fun and adorable, and I bet beyond delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Rachel!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
What a tasty twist to traditional popcorn balls!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
These are so cute Jocelyn! And I'm loving the hot chocolate flavor - we've been getting freezing rain for hours now!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Boo for freezing rain!! Hopefully spring comes soon! 🙂 Thanks girl!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
These are the best looking popcorn balls that I've ever seen! The hearts and straws are the perfect touch!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
Mmmm these sound like the perfect snack for watching a movie on a sunday afternoon with the fire on..!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I like how that sounds...:)
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
These are too cute. They would be great for valentines or a hey it's been snowing forever cheer up party.
michael
Oh gosh, my girls would love them! I am going to have to make these for them 🙂
did you see my post on my Valentine Cheesecake with Strawberries!?
Michael 😉
https://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/strawberry-topped-cheesecake/
Jocelyn Brubaker
Michael, that cheesecake is stellar!! 🙂
Kelly
These look so adorable! And yummy!!
I love that they are gluten free already, too! 🙂
My husband looooooooooooves hot chocolate.. maybe I will just have to put some of these together for Valentine's day!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Kelly!!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled
OMG, these are super cute!!! I love popcorn balls and I can't wait to try these...love the fun hearts on the sticks! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, pinned!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron
These are seriously SO cute! I love the little heart decorations and love the tiny marshmallows! So creative 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chelsea!! 🙂
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
Hot Chocolate is just what is needed on a cold day like this! I love that you made such a fun and creative treat! Totally Pinning this!
annie
Oh boy! My fella loves popcorn (it's his nightly snack). I remember having so much fun making popcorn balls as a kid. I think I should pick it up again.
Jocelyn Brubaker
You totally should!! 🙂
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen
These are SO super cute!! I have to make these for my kids!!
Andrew
Lovely! The pictures are just awesome!
Thanks! I will be back soon.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Andrew!! I hope to hear from you again! 🙂
Nancy
These are adorable!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
I don't think I have EVER seen popcorn look so darn adorable!!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
Whipped cream is basically mandatory for hot chocolate in my book, and I'm so happy you didn't skip it here! What a fun, yummy treat, and the hearts are just too cute.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Erin!!
Tieghan
These are so fun! I love popcorn, but the festive balls are just too cute! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl!!