Quick and Easy Hot Cocoa Popcorn Balls
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: December 20, 2016

Popcorn balls are a Christmas staple.  Hot cocoa popcorn balls is a fun twist on the classic that yields a more fun and flavorful snack.  I like to mix in candy cane bits for a pop of peppermint too.
Hot Cocoa Popcorn Balls
Courtesy of Orville Redenbacher's
Ingredients:
	PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
	1/2 cup Orville Redenbacher's® Gourmet® Popping Corn
	5 cups miniature marshmallows, divided
	8 tablespoons butter, divided
	1/2 cup Swiss Miss® Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix, divided (1/2 cup = 3 envelopes [0.73 oz each])
	1 cup marshmallow bits, divided
	Directions:
	Step 1: Spray large bowl, rubber spatula and piece of waxed paper with cooking spray; set aside. Pop kernel corn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels and place half of popped corn (about 8 cups) in bowl.
	Step 2: Place 2-1/2 cups marshmallows and 3 tablespoons butter in microwave-safe bowl; microwave on HIGH 25 seconds.
	Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup hot cocoa mix and 1 tablespoon more butter; microwave on HIGH 25 seconds more. Stir vigorously to combine.
	Step 4: Pour marshmallow mixture over popped corn in bowl. Toss with rubber spatula to coat.
	Step 5: Add 1/2 cup marshallow bits and stir to combine. Divide mixture and shape into 6 balls. Place on waxed paper.
	Step 6: Repeat above steps with remaining popped corn, marshmallows, butter, hot cocoa mix and marshmallow bits.