Salted Maple Pecan Popcorn

Do y’all remember popcorn balls?? I feel like these came around during Halloween a lot back in my day. They are so old school and nostalgic. Also…sugary sweet and sometimes could pull out a filling. I decided to let that nostalgic treat inspire a new treat that is perfect for serving in lieu of the throwback popcorn ball. It’s got all the fall flavors we love this time of year, plus it’s the perfect sweet treat to serve at a Halloween Party, pass out to your neighbors or just be a slightly less guilty snack for the kiddos rather than the 14th Reese’s pumpkin or pack of smarties. 

See below for step x step instructions (with pictures) and scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe! You can also see how I packaged this delish fall treat to pass out to all the aforementioned folks.

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Glass Bowls / Popcorn

Recipe:

STEP 1: Pop popcorn and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add pecans.

Stainless Steel Bowl 

STEP 2: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. 

Greenpan Saucepan

Greenpan Saucepan

STEP 3: Add maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the melted butter.

Greenpan Saucepan

STEP 4: Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.

Greenpan Saucepan // Candy Thermometer

STEP 5: Bring mixture to a boil. Once mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook (with no stirring) until mixture reaches 290 degrees. 

STEP 6: Remove maple/butter mixture and add vanilla extract and cinnamon. Stir to combine.

Greenpan Saucepan

STEP 7: Quickly pour over popcorn/pecan mixture and stir with a oiled spatula until coated. 

Stainless Steel Bowl

STEP 8: Spread mixture out onto wax or parchment paper and sprinkle with coarse salt.

Cookie Sheet / Parchment

STEP 9: Allow to cool. 

STEP 10: Once cool, break apart and put in little baggies or store in airtight container. I put mine on popcorn boxes adorned with Halloween stickers I designed and created my own Halloween sticker with my Cricut machine. However, I included some similar ones below. 

Tea Towel // Black Popcorn Boxes // White Popcorn Boxes // Gold Pumpkin (similar) // ghost stickers (similar) // Bat stickers (similar) // Ghost Face Stickers (similar) // Plastic Bags

Tea Towel // Cake Plate // Black Popcorn Boxes // White Popcorn Boxes // Gold Pumpkin (similar) // Ghost Face Stickers (similar) // Bat Stickers (similar) // Ghost Sticker (similar) // Plastic Bags

Black Popcorn Boxes // White Popcorn Boxes // Bat Stickers (similar) // Ghost Sticker (similar) // Ghost Face Sticker (similar) // Gold Pumpkin (similar) // “boo” sign (similar) // Plastic Bags

Products I used:

Tea Towel // White Platter // Black Popcorn Box // White Popcorn Boxes // Bat Stickers (similar) // Ghost Sticker (similar) // Ghost Face Sticker (similar) // Gold Pumpkin (similar) // “boo” sign (similar) // Plastic Bags

White Platter // Black Popcorn Boxes // White Popcorn Boxes // Cake Plate // Tea Towel // Ghost Sticker (similar) // Bat Stickers (similar) // Ghost Face Sticker (similar) // Gold Pumpkin (similar) // Black Pumpkin (similar) // Plastic Bags

 

Printable Recipe:

Salted Maple Pecan Popcorn

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• coarse salt

Instructions

1. Pop popcorn and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add pecans.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
3. Add maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the melted butter.
4. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.
5. Bring mixture to a boil. Once mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook (with no stirring) until mixture reaches 290 degrees.
6. Remove maple/butter mixture and add vanilla extract and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
7. Quickly pour over popcorn/pecan mixture and stir with an oiled spatula until coated.
8. Spread mixture out onto wax or parchment paper and sprinkle with coarse salt.
9. Allow to cool.
10. Once cool, break apart and put in little baggies or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Recipe adapted from My Recipes.

Black Popcorn Box // White Popcorn Boxes // Ghost Sticker (similar) // Bat Stickers (similar) // Ghost Face Sticker (similar) // Gold Pumpkin (similar) // “Boo” sign (similar) // Plastic Bags

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