How funny are these guys?! I decided to give my favorite popcorn ball recipe a monster makeover. If you have a microwave, the green marshmallow coating can be made in just 2 minutes! I had these salty-sweets whipped up in a flash and they taste like a popcorn version of Rice Krispy Treats.
And what about those toothy grins? Just add plastic vampire teeth for instant monster madness.
I used kettle corn for this recipe, but you can use 12 cups of your favorite variety. Plastic vampire teeth should be SUPER easy to find in discount stores right now. I've seen glow-in-dark versions that I think would be a real hoot for Halloween parties!
Mixing the green gooey marshmallow into the popcorn is the messiest part of this whole biz. Use your largest bowl and keep turning the mixture over with a wooden spoon. You won't be able to coat every piece of popcorn with the green mixture, but give it a good effort. Buttered hands will make for easier handling of the popcorn mixture when packing it into ball shapes.
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Since this marshmallow version of popcorn balls is softer (and better!) than the corn syrup version, give them a chill in the refrigerator to firm them before adding the vampire teeth. Otherwise the pressure from the hinged teeth will spring back, causing the popcorn ball to yawn open (and that is the weirdest sentence I have ever typed).
Add some candy eyeballs! They should stick to the gooey marshmallow naturally, but if they don't then a dot of frosting or melted chocolate will help them to stick.
Dried papaya slices make the BEST, weirdest monster tongues. I've also used dried mango slices, which are bright yellow and look really neat, too.
These can be packaged individually in cellophane bags and handed out as Halloween party favors, or you can display them on a cake plate for easy access.
I think kids will love these! After the popcorn ball is eaten they can wear the vampire teeth. Most plastic teeth can be worn by children age 3 and up. Be sure to read the packaing for age appropriate guide.
Monster Popcorn Balls
Yields 8 large popcorn balls
10 ounces (1 package) mini marshmallows
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon neon green food color
1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
12 cups popped kettle corn
8 plastic vampire teeth
Candy monster eyeballs
2-4 long pieces of dried papaya
Place the marshmallows in a large heat-proof microwave-safe bowl. Add the butter cubes on top. Place in the microwave and cook for 1:30 to 2 minutes, or until the marshmallows puff up. Remove the mixture from the microwave and whisk until the butter is incorporated. Add the green food color and salt. Whisk until well combined. (This can also be done in a saucepan on the stove top.)
Place popped popcorn in an oversized mixing bowl. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture on top and stir together with a wooden spoon. This will be messy, and you won’t be able to coat every piece of popcorn, but do the best you can.
Spray your hands with baking spray or butter them. Shape the mixture into 8 apple-sized balls and place on a piece of parchment paper. Re-spray or butter hands as needed. Refrigerate popcorn balls until firm.
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Use a knife to cut a slit in one side of a popcorn ball. Insert plastic vampire teeth and shape the popcorn ball around it. If the vampire teeth are too springy they will cause the popcorn ball to split in half. If you experience this, reshape the ball and cut the teeth at the hinges with scissors; insert the teeth as two separate pieces (I had to do this with 2 of my monsters). Repeat with remaining popcorn balls.
Add candy eyeballs above the mouth. They should adhere to the sticky popcorn balls, but if they don’t then use frosting or melted chocolate as adhesive.
Cut dried papaya in half lengthwise to make tongues. Place the slices inside the monster mouths.
Package monster popcorn balls individually in clear cellophane bags or stack them on a cake plate to serve.
Courtesy: Sprinkle Bakes
