Sweet Sweetheart Treats

Every day is Valentine's Day when you make these treats for someone special. Gooey, sweet, and salty popcorn balls are just the right size for party favors, a dessert buffet, or hostess gift for any time of year. I’ve made them with different colored candies for every holiday: red and pink for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, black and orange for Halloween, green and red for Christmas, and multi-colors for our summer birthdays.

Sweet Sweetheart Treats

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (plus more for your hands)

1 bag (10oz.) mini marshmallows

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

12 cups popped  popcorn (about 3 (3oz.) bags)

1 cup M&Ms, or Reece’s Pieces*

parchment paper

Cook popcorn to measure out to 12 cups and pour into a large bowl. Remove any kernels that may have not popped. Set bowl aside.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Melt butter in a large heavy-bottom large pot on low heat. Pour in marshmallows and brown sugar. Stir slowly and constantly until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

Add popped popcorn to the marshmallow mixture and “fold” in the popcorn lightly. Next, add M&Ms (or Reece’s Pieces) and stir slowly to combine and coat all of popcorn. {*if you use Reece’s Pieces, they may melt a little faster than the M&Ms because of the peanut butter}

Take about ½ stick of butter at room temperature and rub your palms of your hands around butter to coat them. With “butter-hands”, shape popcorn mixture into 2 ½ inch balls. Place one at a time on lined baking sheet. Let popcorn balls harden at room temperature.

Wrap balls in clear, plastic cellophane wrap and tie with ribbon or twist ties. Enjoy!