One of my least favorite parts of hosting a party? The pile of dishes at the end of the night! Over time, single-use containers can add up, both in cost and waste. Why not solve both problems in a creative and fun way? Introducing the edible popcorn bowl—a clever twist on the classic popcorn ball that makes cleanup a breeze and adds a delicious touch to your event.
This popcorn bowl recipe is not only a crowd-pleaser but also simple to make with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Here's what you'll need:
- 10 cups of popped popcorn (mushroom kernels work best for even coating and shaping)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 1/3 cups of white sugar
- 1/3 cup of light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar
- Food coloring (optional, depending on the color you desire)
Once you have all the ingredients, follow these easy steps to create your edible popcorn bowl:
- Prepare your bowls: You will need two bowls for shaping the popcorn. Glass or stainless steel work best for this task. Spray the inside of one bowl with cooking spray and the outside of the other bowl, then set them aside.
- Prepare your popcorn: Add your popped popcorn to the bowl that has been sprayed inside. It's best to wait until your sugar mixture is nearly finished on the stove before adding the popcorn.
- Cook your sugar mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, corn syrup, salt, and vinegar. To achieve the right consistency, use a candy thermometer to cook the mixture until it reaches 290°F (hard crack stage). Once it hits the right temperature, remove it from the heat and stir in food coloring, if desired.
- Coat the popcorn: Quickly pour the hot sugar mixture over the popcorn and toss it to coat the popcorn evenly. The syrup will adhere better while the popcorn is still warm and sticky.
- Mold the popcorn bowl: Once the popcorn is fully coated, take a wooden spoon or spatula and press the popcorn mixture up the sides of the greased bowl. Once the inside of the bowl is completely lined, stack the second greased bowl on top to help shape the popcorn while it cools.
- Let it cool: Allow the popcorn to cool and harden in the shape of a bowl. Once it has fully cooled, carefully remove the top bowl, and you'll be left with an edible, crunchy popcorn bowl!
- Fill with treats: Now that your edible popcorn bowl is ready, fill it with your favorite party snacks like candy, more popcorn, or any other tasty treats. It’s a fun, interactive way for guests to enjoy snacks and a creative way to reduce waste!
Enjoy your creative edible popcorn bowl at your next event! It’s a perfect solution for parties, weddings, or any occasion where you want a fun and delicious presentation. Not only will your guests be impressed, but they can snack and enjoy without the extra cleanup at the end.