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Caramel Apple Popcorn Balls

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Delicious popcorn balls held together with caramel that sings with the flavor of concentrated apple are a fall must try. Add a popsicle stick and dip them in white chocolate to make them an even more fun treat!

white chocolate dipped caramel apple popcorn balls with popsicle sticks and baking twine bows.

These fun caramel popcorn balls are flavored with real apple juice. They are delicious as is, but even more fun when dipped in white chocolate.

Add a popsicle stick to complete the transformation from popcorn ball to caramel apple. These fun treats are perfect for fall parties either as dessert or as a parting favor.

These caramel apple popcorn balls take that autumn connection to the next level. With notes of fresh apple and sweet deep caramel they marry two perfectly fall desserts together into one amazing treat.

Making the Popcorn Balls

Making the actual popcorn balls is super easy. You start by making a bunch of popcorn.

You can use your favorite popping method.  Stovetop, air popper, a few bags of microwave popcorn… it all works!

Next, take a little butter and some frozen apple juice concentrate and cooking them down to concentrate the flavors even further.   This helps to get you some discernible apple flavor without adding too much liquid and making your popcorn balls mushy.

Then add a pound of chewy caramel candies and melt them. I used a one pound tub of chewy caramel, but a bag of candies from the store would work just as well.

Now form the popcorn into baseball sized balls and place on wax or parchment paper to set. You have a fabulous fall treat already!

To take them to the next level, dip the bottoms in melted chocolate or white chocolate. Feel free to dust them with chopped nuts or sprinkles while the chocolate is wet.

Now insert a popsicle stick to make them extra cute. Wrap them up in cellophane or plastic wrap and pass them out to all of your new best friends.

Now pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

white chocolate dipped caramel apple popcorn balls with bites missing.

Tips and Tricks

Use a big pot or bowl or plan to work in batches. I used a 7 qt Dutch oven hoping the residual heat would give me plenty of time with soft caramel to make the balls and it worked like a charm.

Grease your hands early and often! The warm caramel is sticky so keeping your hands coated with butter, shortening or even cooking spray helps keep the popcorn stuck to itself instead of you.

hand holding upside down caramel apple popcorn ball on popsicle stick.

If well wrapped, the popcorn balls will store for up to a couple of weeks at room temperature. So they are a great make ahead treat.

Once the weather cools off, they would be a fun addition to care packages as well!

For more fun popcorn ideas, check out my collection of sweet popcorn recipes. Or tell me about your favorites in the comment below.

Caramel apple popcorn balls with popsicle sticks to look like caramel apples.

Caramel Apple Popcorn Balls

Carlee
Delicious popcorn balls held together with caramel that sings with the flavor of concentrated apple are a fall must try. Add a popsicle stick and dip them in white chocolate to make them an even more fun treat!
5 from 5 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 Popcorn Balls
Calories 367 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 18 cups popped popcorn
  • ½ cup frozen apple juice concentrate
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 16 ounces Kraft caramels or similar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound white chocolate
  • Optional: popsicle sticks chopped peanuts, sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Pick through popcorn and be sure there aren’t any unpopped kernels in there. 
    18 cups popped popcorn
  • In a large dutch oven or stock pot, cook the apple juice concentrate and butter over medium-low heat until it simmers. Stir constantly until its volume is reduced by half. It should be visibly thicker.
    ½ cup frozen apple juice concentrate, 4 Tablespoons butter
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the caramel candy to the pot. Continue to stir until the caramels are completely melted. Stir in the salt and remove from heat. 
    16 ounces Kraft caramels, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Add popcorn to the pot and stir to coat.
  • Grease hands well. Take a large handful of popcorn mixture and form into a ball about the size of a baseball. Place on a piece of wax paper to set. Continue until all popcorn has been used.
  • If desired, insert popsicle sticks.
  • Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave. Start with a 30 second burst, then stir well. Continue heating the chocolate 15 seconds at a time just until it will stir smooth. Be sure not to burn the chocolate.
    1 pound white chocolate
  • Dip the bottom half of the popcorn ball into the melted chocolate,  coat with nuts or sprinkles if desired.  Place back on the wax paper to set up. 
  • Wrap in plastic wrap or cellophane and store at room temperature. 

Notes

You will need about 3 bags microwave popcorn or 1¼ cup of kernels to get the popcorn you need.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 234mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39g
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Recipe Rating




Anne

Thursday 26th of September 2019

These are such a great idea, I love the combination of popcorn balls and apples!

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

Thank you

Julia

Wednesday 25th of September 2019

My husband loves popcorn and has quite a sweet tooth so I know he will love this! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us at Meal Plan Monday.

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

You should make him a batch!

klahaneridge

Sunday 22nd of September 2019

Those caramel apple popcorn balls look so good! Popcorn balls are something I get nostalgic for. My favorite would be caramel apple deep dish pie - that’s always a hit when I make it!

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

Now I want a piece of your pie! Popcorn balls do have a bit of nostalgia to them, don't they? I need to make more of them!

Sue Lau

Friday 20th of September 2019

That Chocoley caramel is fantastic and perfect for your popcorn balls! I need to order some more tubs of that!

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

I do too!