It’s the weekend…you’re ready for a break…you decide to party…and a movie is definitely in order…but first, you need a snack. A fast snack. Hmm. If you’re like me, you stare into the treat cupboard (yes, I have a treat cupboard…is that pathetic? Or just plain awesome??), and nothing appeals to you. You want something warm, melty, and gooey good. But what? Well, my friends, have I got the solution for you. If you have microwave popcorn, butter, brown sugar and marshmallows on hand, you are in luck. Within five minutes you will have yourself a fantastic movie snack! Thanks to Natalie who pinterested (that can be a verb, right?) this recipe, we now have the answer to the age-old dilemma, what are we going to snack on? It’s like rice krispy treats meets caramel popcorn. Now that would make a good movie . . . .
1 bag microwave popcorn
1/3 cup butter
1/3 c brown sugar
2¼ c miniature marshmallows
Pop popcorn in microwave according to package directions. Empty into bowl and remove unpopped kernels. Set aside.
Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add brown sugar and marshmallows and stir until melted. Pour over popped corn. Stir until popcorn is evenly coated. Once cool, store in airtight container.
Doesn’t EVERYONE have a treat cupboard? This recipe looks so good, but my microwave won’t do popcorn anymore. I could pop it at work though.
Jan, you’re always there for some good commiserating. Thanks!! I’m so glad to know that a treat cupboard is normal “behavior.” A microwave that won’t do popcorn? That’s tragic! I know what you need for Christmas . . . .
Found via Pinterest – DANG I wish I had some marshmallows. And a treat cupboard. I wonder how it would come out with flavored marshmallows? Thanks for sharing!!
You are so welcome! I hear ya . . . I am always wishing I had ingredients on hand. When you hear about something good, you want to make it now!! Right?? I bet flavored marshmallows would be good.
This is. SO. GOOOD. If anyone else is curious, I made popcorn on the stove with 1/3 of a cup of popcorn and upped the butter and sugar to 1/2 a cup (for each) and the marshmallows to 3 cups, since it makes more popcorn than a bag of microwaved stuff. Thanks again for the recipe!!
Oh nice job upping the ingredients!! More is always better!
So glad you liked it.
Hey Nichole, I had no marshmallows in the cabinet either. but, I did have the butter and brown sugar. I took the 1/3 cup of each the sugar and butter and microwaved this for about 30 seconds. I then thought about the sticky gooey part and added a squirt of maple syrup and microwaved this till the mixture boiled. I then quickly stirred it over the bag of popcorn and am now enjoying a caramel corn kinda sticky delight. Yummmm!!
O my goodness this is sooo good! It is like adult rice crispy treats! Would only be better if I were at the fair eating it
No kidding, isn’t food always better at the fair? Kind of like when you’re camping . . . the food tastes SO much better. Glad you liked it!!
I made this recipe last night for a party I was having. Ended up making three recipes of it at one time. After stirring, I ended up spreading it into a 9×12 greased (butter) dish and cut it ala Rice Krispie treats.
Next time I’m going to try rolling them into popcorn balls!
Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
So glad you liked it . . . that was brilliant to spread it and cut it. Otherwise, just how are you supposed to serve it?
I also love the popcorn balls idea!!
Did anyone use buttered popcorn? All I have is movie butter popcorn. I wonder if it would be too much?
I used movie theater butter popcorn once. It was definitely a stronger flavor but still really good!
Thanks
You bet. Hope you enjoy it!
I’m so glad I had all of the ingredients on hand when I found this (via pinterest)! I’m sitting here munching on it trying to keep it out of view of my three year-old. I don’t want to share!
Hi Emile . . . so glad you like it. I love that you had all the ingredients. Those kind of recipes are the best, huh?!
I went to a ladies night at a friends house that made this after seeing it on Pintrest and she made two batches for us. I came home and the next day I had to make a batch! It was fun using the Twirly Whirl popcorn popper for fresh popcorn, my kids helped and loved it. We ate a batch in no time and had to make another! Loooove this, it’s so yummy! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! You just have to love those treats that are quick, easy AND good, right? Sounds like I need to add a Twirly Whirl to my wish list. Sounds like so much fun. Nice hearing from you!!
Could you make this whole recipe in the microwave? I’d like to try it with my students but we don’t have access to a stove
Yes, you can make it in the microwave. Melt the butter in a glass bowl in the microwave first. Then add brown sugar and marshmallows and stir until marshmallows are melted, microwaving at 10-second intervals if needed, until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popped corn, etc.
I was thinking of taking this to a family get together at Thanksgiving. How well does it keep? Is it a good make it now eat it later snack?
Thanks.
There is definitely a “gooey” factor that is so good fresh, but this recipe is good the day after too. Just store it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Even the next day it doesn’t get real “tough” as marshmallow recipes sometimes do, probably because the marshmallows aren’t cooked for very long. I’d say if it is served within a day or two, you’d be totally fine. Happy Thanksgiving!!
I’m not sure what I did wrong but mine turned out more of a caramel colour than the light yellow in the picture…
Hmm…I wonder if your butter browned. Maybe try using the lowest possible heat setting? And only cook the ingredients until the marshmallows are barely melted? Just a few suggestions….
What about marshmallow creme?
I’ve never tried it but from what I read on substituting marshmallow creme for marshmallows, it seems like it should work. Just use 7 ounces of marshmallow creme instead of the 2 1/4 cups marshmallows and cook it as little as possible as marshmallow creme is already somewhat of a liquid. Hope it works.
Can u use marshmallow creme?
Good question. I’ve never tried the recipe with marshmallow creme but after doing some research, seems like it should work. I would use 7 ounces of marshmallow creme instead of the 2 1/4 cups marshmallows and cook it as little as possible as marshmallow creme is already in a melted state. Good luck!
how long does this usually take
The popcorn takes between 2-3 minutes to pop and the marshmallow mixture cooks for maybe 5 minutes, so all in all about 10 minutes total.