Some links in this post may or may not be affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link I will earn a commission which supports this site.
These sound delicious! I have a weird allergy to black and cayenne pepper but I would love to make these for my spicy lovin’ family! Yum.
Sweet and Spicy Pepitas Popcorn Balls via the Food Network
- Total Time: 40 min
- Prep 20 min
- Cook 20 min
- Yield: 20 balls
- Level: Intermediate
Ingredients
- 3 (3.5-ounce) bags natural microwave popcorn
- 2 cups pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for forming
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Pop the popcorn according to package instructions. While hot, carefully open package and dump into a large bowl.
Toast the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until browned and popping, tossing and stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Do this in batches, if needed.) Add to the popcorn.
Make caramel: Warm the cream over low heat and keep warm while you cook the sugar. Put the sugar and corn syrup and in a deep, heavy-bottomed large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, raise heat to medium-high, and simmer until the sugar reaches the hard crack stage, or 305 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 7 minutes.
Whisk the butter and salt into the sugar mixture. Gradually pour in the cream and vanilla taking care since the mixture will bubble up. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar reaches soft ball stage, 240 degrees F on the thermometer, about 5 minutes more. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the cinnamon and cayenne. Cool for about a minute. Pour caramel over the popcorn and stir to evenly coat.
When the popcorn is cool enough to handle, coat your hands with some butter and shape into 4-inch balls. Wrap in waxed paper and tie with a string, if desired. Serve or store covered at room temperature for up to a week.
Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved
