This Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn is the homemade version of the pink popcorn you bought as a kid. It's lightly candy-coated and with a fun pink color.
What is Pink Popcorn?
If you grew up in Canada, especially if you are a certain age (say, born after 1985), you likely remember Lucky Elephant Pink Popcorn.
Even if you haven't tried it, and you like sweet popcorn, you should definitely try this Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn.
It's a lightly candy-coated, slightly vanilla flavored popcorn with a festive pink color.
I suppose you could make it any color you want, or skip the coloring altogether, but pink is definitely the traditional version.
How do you make pink popcorn?
When I first learned that you could make this tasty treat from my childhood, I was a little intimidated, thinking it would be much more difficult than it actually is. Turns out it's not very hard at all.
There is a bit of a trick to it though. Make sure you have your popcorn completely popped and ready in a large bowl before your syrup is ready.
You don't want the syrup hardening up on you while you're waiting for popcorn to pop. You need plain popcorn kernels for this recipe which you can easily pop using an air popper.
I did try this recipe a couple of times to get an optimal candy-popcorn ratio. The recipe I have posted here is most similar to the Lucky Elephant popcorn I remember eating as a child.
However, if you want yours less sweet, use more popcorn. If you have a major sweet tooth and you want sweeter popcorn, use less popcorn, just note that it will take longer to dry or harden.
The first time I made this, it had a much thicker candy coating and it took much longer (overnight) to dry. The recipe I have posted here dried very quickly, almost immediately.
However, it may depend on humidity. If yours doesn't seem to be setting up, don't worry too much, just leave it uncovered at room temperature for a few hours or a day or so until it does.
Pink Popcorn Ingredients:
- Plain popcorn kernels
- Whole milk or half and half cream
- White/light corn syrup
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla
- Wilton Color Gel in Rose food coloring
Pink Popcorn Special Equipment:
Warning: if you leave it sitting out, uncovered, it will likely disappear quickly. You and your family will not be able to resist this sweet crunchy treat.
You can, however, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a couple of weeks.
Because of the pretty pink color of this popcorn, I think it's perfect for Valentine's day.
If your kids (or you) hand out goodies for Valentine's day, I think this is a great slightly healthier treat. You could package it in a little baggie tied with a red or pink ribbon. How cute is that?
Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn Troubleshooting:
Why won't my popcorn dry?
If the coating on your pink popcorn doesn't dry, it could be due to one of two things:
1. Not reaching the correct temperature when boiling the syrup coating. It's crucial for candy-making to reach the temperatures listed in recipes. If temperatures are not reached, candies (including the coating in this recipe) may not harden properly which could result in a sticky coating. Make sure you use a candy thermometer to make your coating.
2. The weather/humidity. If you live in a very humid climate, or make this on a particularly humid day, the popcorn may not harden. In this case, you could try putting it in a very low-temperature oven, making sure to check it often.
Want more Popcorn recipes?
Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn Nutrition Notes:
For one cup of this popcorn, you're looking at around 100kcal (which is the perfect amount for a small snack), and 1g of fiber.
Since popcorn is a whole grain, you can consider this a healthier treat. Just keep in mind that it does have a fair bit of added sugar. But it's definitely better than candy!
Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn
Ingredients
- 6 ounces popcorn kernels
- ⅔ cup whole milk or half and half
- 1 Tablespoon white corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pink food coloring I use Wilton Color Gel in Rose to get the perfect shade
Instructions
- Prepare 2 large baking sheets by lining with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- Pop 6 ounces popcorn kernels using an air popper or in a pot. This makes a large amount (about 24 cups) of popcorn, so you may have to do it in 2 batches. Place the popcorn into one or two large bowls and set aside.
- Stir ⅔ cup whole milk or half and half, 1 Tablespoon white corn syrup, and ¼ teaspoon salt together in a small saucepan. Pour 2 cups granulated sugar into the center of the saucepan, being careful not to get any on the sides of the pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Stir occasionally until mixture reaches 230°F on an instant-read or candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and pink food coloring (several drops of red should do, or about ½ a toothpick dipped into gel color).
- Working quickly, pour sugar mixture evenly over popcorn and stir until the popcorn is evenly coated. Spread popcorn over 2 large baking sheets to dry. Once popcorn is completely dry, store in airtight bags or containers.
Video
Nutrition
*Recipe barely adapted from Nan's Recipe Spot
Ape
My coating dried almost instantly while putting on the popcorn. Was rather think. How can I make it thinner so I it can be more liquid like to poor into popcorn and have a chance to stir? Or did it need to heat a lot longer?
Carissa
I would guess it's a temperature issue. Candy coated things like this are really picky. They need to be heated to a specific temperature - no more, no less. Did you use a candy thermometer? If not, I would recommend trying again with one. If you did, and cooked to the correct temperature, maybe it was related to the weather or something. It never fails to amaze me how much that can impact certain recipes.
Ann
Once dry, is the popcorn sticky?
Carissa
No, it shouldn't be sticky once dry. It should be a hardened candy coating.
Anonymous
Is the popcorn supposed to maintain crunch once it's coated and dried? Mine turned out a little "chewy" once it dried.
Carissa
I would say that mine doesn't usually turn out 100% as crunchy as fresh popcorn, but pretty close.
Linda
I sometimes have a problem with this - I have tried a giant popcorn that makes large puffy popped corn and the problem is worse with this than it is with the Orville Redenbacher I have also tried - so could it be the popcorn itself? Might give a different brand a try. Try using a greater ratio of popcorn - perhaps increasing the amount of popped corn by 4 cups or so - I believe too much coating saturates the popcorn too much and causes this problem. And the weather can also be a problem - try making again on a cooler clear day with low humidity - if at all possible. I know these kind of days results in better candy making results. Don't try drying in the oven - it will of the colors - purple becomes gray, and blue becomes greenish.
ej
couldn't you just melt butter, put some food coloring in it then mix it in the popcorn?
Carissa
If all you're going for is color, then maybe that would kind of work, but I doubt the result would be very even. This recipe is for more of a candy coated popcorn.
Melissa
How long does this stay good for?
Carissa
It lasts quite awhile - I would say at least 2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature.
Stacey
You are AMAZING! ! I grew up with this Punk Elephant Popcorn and it was only recently that my husband had said that since I have a knack for making things from our childhood, if I could attempt this one. This is that exact recipe I was looking for! This also isn't the 1st time I've found what I was looking for on your site!! So Pls keep up the awesome work and posts!! I hope you understand and realize how much mum's like me need women like you!! So Thanks again!!
Carissa
Wow, what a great comment! I'm so happy that you're enjoying my recipes! Thanks for brightening my day!
Cayo
why did Pink elephant change the pink popcorn. I looked it when we were kids but notcwhat they now.
Amanda
Can I use microwaved popcorn for this recipe? I have never made popcorn in a pot on the stovetop before...
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