This fruity and crunchy Cherry Jello Popcorn recipe is the perfect snack to make your kids on Valentine's Day! Make this 5 Ingredient Candy Popcorn now!
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray foil with a small bit of cooking spray so it won't stick and set aside or use a large disposable baking pan sprayed with a little spray.
Place butter and corn syrup in small saucepan on medium heat and stir until butter is melted. Add sugar and Jello. Stir to combine and until Jello and sugar are completely dissolved.
Bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl or disposable pan, mix popped popcorn and syrup until well coated. Spread on to the prepared sheet pan and spread out, or place the baking pan in the oven.
Bake 5 minutes, then stir well to help coat the popcorn that wasn't coated well to begin with.
Bake another 5 minutes and mix again.
Bake 5 more minutes then remove from oven. Continue stirring for 5 minutes as it cools to keep it from hardening into one large clump.
Cool completely. Break any large chunks into smaller pieces.
Store the candy popcorn in an air-tight container (not a plastic zipper bag) for up to 5 days.
Notes
I've used air-popped popcorn and used slightly salted microwave popcorn and both turn out delicious.
Make sure the butter is completely melted before adding the Jello and sugar.
Stir frequently so the sugar doesn't burn.
Using a large disposable roasting pan makes stirring easy so that you aren't flinging sticky popcorn all over the place. It also makes clean up a breeze!
The baking is what takes this from a sticky candy-coated mess to a crunchy treat! Do NOT skip this step!
You can use any flavor Jello but I prefer the Cherry flavor.