I was trying to think of treat to make for our annual Christmas party. My mom suggested popcorn cake, but I decided to make popcorn balls instead. These popcorn balls are easy to make, quick, and can be customized with your favorite Jello flavor/color. With the addition of saran wrap and a hook these tasty treats can also be used and ornaments. You can eat these ornaments when you want a snack and you will not have to store them at the end of the season.

Step 1: Materials Needed

This popcorn ball recipe produces soft and chewy Jello flavored popcorn balls. There are relatively few ingredients and should take less than 20 minutes to make.

Popcorn Ball Ingredients:
+ 6 Tbsp. butter or Margarine
+ 3 c. tiny marshmallows
+ 1/2 package of 3oz. (3 Tbsp.) Jello mix
+3 quarts unsalted popcorn (about 1/2 cup of popcorn kernel)

For Ornaments:
+ saran wrap
+ Ornament hooks (usually sold in the 100 packs for 99 cents)

Misc. things you will also need:
+ popcorn popper or large pan and oil to make popcorn
+ 2-3 large mixing bowls
+ Spatula and mixing spoon
+ Microwave
+ wax paper to set treats on

Original Recipe from Chris Tanaka

Step 2: Popcorn

First Wash Your Hands Good, because nobody likes food borne illnesses or diarrhea.

Pop about 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. I used a popcorn popper but you could also use a large pot and some cooking oil if you do not have one. Now use your hands to sift through the popcorn to make sure you there are no stray un-popped popcorn kernel. Transfer the sifted popcorn to a separate bowl. Measure out at least 3 quarts of popcorn, a little extra is fine.

'WARNING!!!'
Un-popped popcorn kernel that find themselves in the in the popcorn balls can crack teeth. So it a good idea to hand sift the popcorn from one container to another to avoid a painful and costly accident.

Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

Add 6 Tbsp. butter or Margarine, 3 c. tiny marshmallows, 1/2 package of 3oz. (3 Tbsp.) Jello mix in a bowl. You can use any jello flavor or color you like. I made a double recipe of lime and a single recipe of cherry jello.

Put mixture in the microwave for 40 seconds. Mix the ingredients with a spatula and microwave again for about another 40 seconds. Make sure all ingredients are mixed together thoroughly and the butter and marshmallows are melted. You may need to put it in the microwave another 20 seconds or so but try not to over microwave or they may not stick together. It should have a thick syrupy texture.

You will have to work quickly. Pour the mixture over popcorn and mix well with a large spoon.

Once the popcorn and mixture is thoroughly mixed, butter your hands and start forming popcorn balls. The butter prevents the sticky mixture from sticking to your hands and adds a hint of buttery goodness. I think one recipe would make about 10-15 balls, but it really depends on how big you make them.

WARNING!!!'
Un-popped popcorn kernel that find themselves in the in the popcorn balls can crack teeth. So it a good idea to hand sift the popcorn from one container to another to avoid a painful and costly accident.

Step 4: Making the Ornaments

Of course you could just eat these they way they are, but they would also make great Christmas ornaments. You will need some saran wrap and ornament hooks to complete this project.

Double wrap each popcorn ball with a small piece of saran. You could single wrap them but the problem is that saran wrap can come off easily and then your popcorn balls will be on the floor. Now stick the hook through the saran wrap and hang them on the tree.