Pretty and addictively delicious any time of year, Red Cinnamon Popcorn is especially festive to serve during the holidays. It also makes for a beautifully packaged, simple homemade gift.
Red Cinnamon Popcorn
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup red cinnamon candies
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2-3 drops cinnamon oil
- 4 quarts (16 cups) popped popcorn (instructions for the best stove-popped popcorn)
Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in sugar, corn syrup, and candies. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until candies are completely dissolved. Then boil without stirring for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and cinnamon oil. (Mixture will bubble up.) Slowly pour hot candy mixture over popcorn on large cake pans or a roasting pan. Mix well. Bake at 250° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely. Break into small pieces. Store in an airtight container.
What festive treats are reserved for the holidays at your home?
Oh Amy, this looks fabulous! And perfect for gifts!
OK. YUM.
Yum! And its beautiful too!
This looks delicious! How many cups of kernals do I start with to get 16 cups popped- I always have issues with this when I make popcorn recipes
I just looked back at my notes. 1 cup unpopped gives me 24 cups popped. So… about 2/3 cup maybe?
Thanks! I will make a note of that!
I make it in the Whirley Pop with just
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
1/3 cup Red Hots
2 T oil
Or Kettle Corn
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
4 T sugar
4 T oil
1/4 t. sea salt
Preheat burner to medium, if electric, add all ingredients to Whirley Pop, then stir until done popping. Cool in cookie sheet, and store in airtight container. The Whirley Pop is about $20 at Bed Bath and Beyond or Target, but BB & B has those 20% off coupons out, so it would only be $16.
Clean up is messy, you have to fill it with hot soapy water and let the lid close on the suds ,then let it soak until the stuff comes off. I can generally make 2 batches before I have to wash it or else it burns.
Since my big stove pot works just fine and I’m trying hard to be a minimalist in the kitchen
I’m gonna stick with it. The Whirley Pop sounds fun, though!
How festive!
This is something I need to make for my Mom. She loves flaming hots. I have never seen cinnamon oil. Where did you find that? Would a regular food store have that? Guess I will keep my eyes open for that one.
Hmmm, I find it at a local(ish) bulk food store. Would a Whole Foods have it, maybe?
Is there something you could use in place of the corn syrup that would be healthier? My cinnamon oil just came in so I plan to make this asap
I have no idea. If you find something, do share!