Flavored Rainbow Popcorn Delight
Dive into a colorful world of flavor with Flavored Rainbow Popcorn Delight! This sweet, crunchy treat combines the delightful taste of your favorite flavored gelatin with fluffy popcorn, creating a vibrant snack that's perfect for parties, movie nights, or any fun gathering. Whether you choose strawberry, blue raspberry, or lemon, each batch bursts with color and sweetness, making every handful an exciting surprise. This recipe has been cherished since childhood and is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Easy to prepare and store, it's a delight that you'll want to make again and again!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Popped Popcorn
10 cups (Popped and kernels removed)
Margarine
1 cup (Melted)
Sugar
3/4 cup (Granulated)
Flavored Gelatin Powder
1 (3-ounce) package (Your choice of flavor)
Water
3 tablespoons (Room temperature)
Light Corn Syrup
1 tablespoon (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2
Remove all unpopped kernels from the popped popcorn and place the popcorn in a large, greased 17x12x2-inch disposable pan. Keep it warm in the oven while preparing the syrup.
3
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, generously butter the bottom and sides to prevent sticking.
4
Combine the margarine, sugar, flavored gelatin, water, and light corn syrup in the saucepan, stirring until well mixed.
5
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a boil. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and keep cooking while stirring.
6
Continue cooking until the thermometer registers 255°F (hard-ball stage). Remove the pan from heat.
7
Carefully pour the syrup evenly over the warm popcorn. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently shake and coat the popcorn thoroughly.
8
Return the coated popcorn to the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Shake the pan to redistribute the popcorn and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
9
Remove from the oven and turn the popcorn mixture onto a large piece of aluminum foil to cool.
10
Once cool, break apart any clumps, and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flavored Rainbow Popcorn Delight?
It is a sweet and crunchy popcorn snack made by coating popcorn in a flavored gelatin syrup and baking it until crisp.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: popped popcorn, margarine, sugar, flavored gelatin powder, water, and light corn syrup.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C).
How much popcorn do I need?
You will need 10 cups of popped popcorn with all unpopped kernels removed.
What kind of gelatin should I use?
You can use one 3-ounce package of any flavor of gelatin powder, such as strawberry, blue raspberry, or lemon.
How much margarine is used in the syrup?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of melted margarine.
What temperature should the candy syrup reach?
The syrup should be cooked until it reaches 255°F, which is the hard-ball stage on a candy thermometer.
How long does the popcorn bake in the oven?
The popcorn bakes for a total of 10 minutes: bake for 5 minutes, shake the pan, and then bake for another 5 minutes.
How do I prevent the syrup from sticking to the saucepan?
Generously butter the bottom and sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan before adding the syrup ingredients.
Why do I need to keep the popcorn in the oven while making the syrup?
Keeping the popcorn warm in the oven helps the syrup coat the kernels more evenly when it is poured over them.
What is the best way to store Flavored Rainbow Popcorn Delight?
Store the cooled popcorn in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain its crunchiness.
How much sugar is required for the coating?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
What size baking pan should I use?
A large, greased 17x12x2-inch disposable pan is recommended.
Is corn syrup necessary for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup to help achieve the correct syrup consistency.
Do I need to stir the syrup while it cooks?
Yes, you should stir the mixture constantly until it reaches a boil and continue stirring as it cooks to 255°F.
How do I cool the popcorn after baking?
Turn the popcorn mixture onto a large piece of aluminum foil to cool completely.
Should I break the popcorn apart?
Yes, once the popcorn has cooled, break apart any large clumps before storing.
Is this snack suitable for children?
Yes, its vibrant colors and sweet flavor make it very kid-friendly and a hit for parties.
Can I make multiple colors of popcorn?
Yes, you can make separate batches using different flavored gelatin powders to create a 'rainbow' effect.
What is the 'hard-ball stage' in this recipe?
The hard-ball stage is a specific sugar concentration reached at 255°F, ensuring the coating sets correctly on the popcorn.
What type of saucepan is recommended?
A heavy 2-quart saucepan is recommended for even heating and to prevent the sugar from burning.
How much water is added to the syrup mix?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of room temperature water.
Is this a savory or sweet popcorn?
This is a sweet, candy-coated popcorn snack.
What is the purpose of baking the popcorn after coating it?
Baking helps the syrup dry and adhere to the popcorn, making it crunchy rather than sticky.
How do I ensure the popcorn is evenly coated?
Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently shake and coat the warm popcorn immediately after pouring the syrup over it.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include candy, snack, popcorn, flavored, party treat, dessert, fun food, and kid-friendly.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
The recipe specifies margarine, though butter is often used as a substitute in similar candy recipes.
Why must I remove unpopped kernels?
Removing unpopped kernels ensures the snack is safe and pleasant to eat without the risk of biting into a hard kernel.
What happens if I don't use a candy thermometer?
Without a thermometer, it is difficult to ensure the syrup reaches 255°F, which may result in popcorn that is too sticky or soft.
How long has this recipe been around?
The description notes that this recipe has been cherished since childhood, making it a nostalgic favorite.