Popcorn treats, as well as candy corn, are traditional at Halloween, so the following Gooey Candy Corn Popcorn will definitely fit into your Halloween menu this year, whether you serve it on the annual Halloween BOO-ffet, or just put it out to snack on. I like to pile the three colors into a giant pile of popcorn, but you can form it into a giant candy corn if you like.

The coating for each layer is very easy to make: sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, butter, and marshmallows. To insure a bright presentation, make sure you have some electric orange and electric yellow gel paste coloring; gel paste is available on the cake decorating aisle of variety stores and hoppy stores, as well as restaurant supplies. Once made, the popcorn keeps well for a couple of weeks, so it can be made ahead. Incidentally, if you happen to have a package or two of marshmallows that have gone hard, they can be used in this recipe; it will take a little longer to melt them, but they will melt with a little extra stirring.

48 cups

12 quarts plain popcorn, (48 cups) divided

Orange Layer:
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 3 oz. package orange gelatin
1 10 oz. package marshmallows
1/4 cup butter
Orange gel paste food coloring

Lemon Layer:
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 3 oz. package lemon gelatin
1 10 oz. package marshmallows
1/4 cup butter
Yellow gel paste food coloring

White Layer:
1 cup sugar
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 10 oz. package marshmallows

1. Spray three large bowls and a baking sheet with non-stick spray; Measure 16 cups of the popcorn into each bowl.
2. Orange Layer: Bring the sugar and syrup to a boil.
3. Turn heat to the lowest setting and stir in gelatin until dissolved; stir in enough food coloring to make a bright orange color.
4. Add the butter and marshmallows, stirring over low heat until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the mixture over the popcorn in one bowl and stir to mix well.
6. Transfer to the baking sheet and flatten a little.
7. Yellow Layer: Repeat as in the orange layer, using the lemon gelatin and yellow food coloring.
8. Place the yellow popcorn on top of the orange popcorn.
9. White layer: Mix the gelatin and sugar well; pour them into a medium saucepan with the light corn syrup.
10. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
11. Add the butter and marshmallows; stir over low heat until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth.
12. Pour over the remaining popcorn and mix well.
13. Place the white popcorn on top of the yellow layer.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 215 Calories from Fat 28
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 13% Protein 4% Carb. 83%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 8 mg
Sodium 59 mg
Total Carbohydrate 45 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 8 g
Protein 2 g

Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 9% Calcium 0% Iron 6%

Want more Halloween ideas? There are over 130 Halloween recipes in my Halloween Cookbook, Quick Cooking for Halloween. It can be ordered from Amazon: Quick Cooking for Halloween: Over 130 Recipes to serve at the Annual Halloween BOO-ffet!