Cotton Candy Popcorn - Candy coated popcorn recipe with sprinkles and real cotton candy pieces!
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I had some fun colored candy coating left over from the Drizzled Candy Bark I made the other day. If you've been following me over the past couple years, you've probably learned that I love cotton candy. If you do too, make sure to check out my recipes for Cotton Candy Lemonade, cupcakes, fudge and even lip scrub. So, back to this Cotton Candy Popcorn. I was pretty proud of myself when I decided to tear up real cotton candy pieces to add them to this treat! You can really taste the cotton candy in this treat!
I added the marshmallow coating to 8 cups of the popcorn. Then you know what I did? I dumped in all of the cotton candy pieces, stirred them around gently and figured a few (only ¼ cup!) sprinkles wouldn't hurt. Am I right? So, just for the record, you could technically stop here and just enjoy the recipe.
If you have a few more minutes and want additional color, here's where you add the pink and blue popcorn in. I always keep the majority of the popcorn white and just add little pops of color when needed.
You know, I really couldn't tell you where my love of "cotton candy everything" came from. I'm not a huge fan of cotton candy alone, but mix it with something like lemonade, fudge or popcorn and I'm your friend for life. Go figure - it's fun, easy and quick food. And that's what me and this blog are all about!
Recipes for treats like this cotton candy popcorn hold a special place in my heart. Why? Because they're gorgeous, they're fun to eat and they are the perfect treat to snack on! I know I've been posting sweet after sweet lately, but please forgive me. I can't seem to help myself. . .like "I've been having to loosen up my belt during the day lately" help myself.
I'm a glutton for punishment, and when I try and tell myself I can't have something. . .I become ravenous for that one thing I can't have. Does this happen to you, too? Lent has always been one of the most difficult things for me. . .along with diets, boyfriends during high school and million dollar log homes on clear water lakes. 🙂
It's only popcorn, friends. It will be okay. One more sweet will be okay. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a day for carrot sticks and rice cakes. But today, I will eat dessert. Yes, today I will eat dessert. Come on and join me!
Cotton candy popcorn recipe with sprinkles and real cotton candy pieces!
Cotton Candy Popcorn
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package marshmallow or vanilla candy melts
- 12 cups popped popcorn (divided)
- ¼ cup sprinkles
- 2 cups cotton candy (torn into small pieces)
- 3 ounces blue candy melts
- 3 ounces pink candy melts
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the marshmallow or vanilla melts according to instructions on package.
- Add 8 cups of popcorn to a large bowl and pour in the marshmallow coating. Stir until well coated.
- Add the cotton candy and gently mix to distribute throughout the popcorn.
- Spread popcorn out on lined baking sheet and add the sprinkles on top. Allow to cool.
- In two separate bowls, melt the blue and pink candy coating.
- Divide the remaining popcorn equally between two bowls - 2 cups in one bowl, 2 cups in the other.
- Pour the blue coating over the popcorn in one bowl and the pink over popcorn in the other bowl.
- Stir until well-coated and spread the popcorn out on another lined baking sheet.
- Combine the white, pink and blue popcorn and enjoy!
Notes
- Work Quickly with Marshmallow Coating: Once you've melted the marshmallow or vanilla candy melts, work quickly to coat the popcorn before the mixture begins to set. Use a spatula or large spoon to evenly distribute the coating, ensuring that all popcorn kernels are coated for a uniform flavor.
- Add Cotton Candy Carefully: When adding the torn pieces of cotton candy to the coated popcorn, do so gently to avoid crushing the cotton candy into small pieces. The torn cotton candy adds a fun and colorful element to the popcorn, so try to keep the pieces relatively intact for visual appeal.
- Ensure Even Coating with Candy Melts: When melting the blue and pink candy melts for the popcorn drizzle, ensure that they are melted to a smooth consistency. Use a spoon or fork to drizzle the melted candy coating evenly over the popcorn, moving your hand in a back-and-forth motion for a decorative effect. Aim for even coverage to ensure that each popcorn kernel gets a taste of the colorful candy coating.
Liliana
I can’t find marshmallow candy melts or marshmallow oil in Canada. Is there another option?
Sara
Hi Liliana, you can use vanilla candy melts in place of the marshmallow melts and the recipe doesn't use any marshmallow oil.
Sarina
This look really awesome! I love to eat cotton candy and pretty much anything cotton candy flavored!!
Sara
You and me both, Sarina!
Genesis
They are so good.
Sarah
I am making this for my daughters birthday party in 2 days and just realized you meant marshmallow flavored melts instead of actual marshmallows ?..... can I use white almond bark I place of the vanilla candy melts? Or could I use actual marshmallows? My grocery store doesn’t have the candy melts... I had to order the pink and blue from amazon and now don’t have time to order vanilla ?
Thank you!
Sara
White almond bark should work fine! Good luck and don't panic! Hope your daughter's party turns out great!
Sarah
Thank you!!!
Abdsnr
In the future, you can usually get colored melts at craft stores like Michaels or Joann fabrics!
Brittany M
And Walmart (in the party supplies area)
MaryAnn Coy
I thought you were talking about real Marshmallow as opposed to candy melts, since Marshmallow is used in many recipes for candy. You are using pink and Blue melts? Or adding food coloring? I've never heard of the cotton candy pieces, are they available at Amazon or else on line? BTW Marshmallow Fluff turned 100 yrs on 3/4/17 was invented here in Somerville, MA (Boston).
Sara
Yes, I used blue and pink melts. If you can only find white melts you could always just use a couple drops of appropriate food coloring. I just added a link to where you can purchase cotton candy from Amazon. You can normally find bags of cotton candy in your local dollar stores as well. Love that you know the origins of Marshmallow Fluff!
Rose
This recipe looks great. My daughter wants to take it to school for her birthday treat.
I'm stuck on the first ingredient - marshmallow or vanilla candy melts. Do you mean marshmallows? or marshmallow-flavored melts? I can't find vanilla candy melts - I can find white melts, but is that the same, or does it need the vanilla flavor?
Thanks!
Sara
Yes, they are marshmallow-flavored melts. But yes, you can use white melts and it will work just fine!!
Rose
Thank you!!
Jumana
Hi! Can you used buttered popcorn or plain?
Sara
Hi Jumana! I usually try and use plain popcorn. If it is buttered, it should be very lightly buttered.
Erin
Do you think this is ok to make the night before a party?
Sara
I would try and make the morning of just so the popcorn is nice and fresh!
Marlena
Do you need to allow the marshmellow and the color melts to cool before pouring over popcorn? I have tried in the past and it just melts the popcorn
Sara
I didn't find that I needed to let it cool off too much. I've never had melts actually melt the popcorn. Hope the recipe works for you!
ARDYCE EDEUS
I DON'T UNDERSTAND BLUE CANDY COATING AND PINK COATING? QIS THIS A FROSTING?? DOES IT COME IN A TUBE?
Sara
I just updated the post to include links in the recipe to show you a photo of the ingredient. I also changed the description from candy coating to candy melts. Hope this helps!
Stefanie Garity
I LOVE cotton candy flavored things as well, and just discovered the BEST thing yet. Walmart great value brand cotton candy ice cream, I'm pregnant, and can't get enoug. You have to try it, and I look forward to trying your popcorn and fudge recipes. Thanks for pinning.
Sara
That ice cream sounds so good, Stefanie! Best of luck to you during your pregnancy!!
Dana
Hi! What kind of popcorn do you like to use? And what kind of sprinkles? Thanks!
Sara
You can pop your own popcorn or just use a microwave popcorn that's not heavy with butter. Have fun with the sprinkles. It really doesn't matter what kind of sprinkles you use!
Dana
If I pop my own do I use salt and oil!
Sara
Depending on how you're popping it, you may need the oil, but I wouldn't salt it.
Gaelle
What is the difference between candy melts and candy coatings? Thanks this looks sooo yummy and pretty at the same time & I think this would really dazzle at our family's Easter picnic, but I only have candy melts....
Sara
Candy melts and candy coating are basically the same thing. I know I used the terms interchangeably. Sorry for any confusion!
Trina and Tina
Cotton candy popcorn and an Easter celebration sound like the perfect combination! Thanks!
Sara
I agree! I hope you try it! Thanks for stopping by!