Irresistible Holiday Recipe: Popcorn Balls with Eggnog Sauce

The holidays are a time for joy, laughter, and indulging in delicious treats. Imagine the happiness on your guests’ faces when they taste Popcorn Balls with Eggnog Sauce for the first time. This delightful recipe combines the crunchy texture of popcorn with the creamy, spiced richness of eggnog, making it a perfect holiday snack. With these popcorn balls, you’re sure to create memorable moments, whether at festive gatherings or cozy nights in.

The eggnog sauce drizzled over the popcorn balls elevates this treat to a new level of deliciousness. Infused with the warm spices of nutmeg and cinnamon, every bite captures the essence of the holidays. Let’s get started on this fun and festive recipe!

Deliciously festive popcorn balls with eggnog sauce ready to serve.

Popcorn Balls with Eggnog Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Popcorn Balls:

• 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

• 1/4 cup corn syrup

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional—pecans or walnuts are great additions)

For the Eggnog Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup eggnog (store-bought or homemade)

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Pop the Popcorn

Start by popping your popcorn. You can use an air-popper, stovetop, or microwave to pop about 1/2 cup of kernels, which will give you roughly 10 cups of popcorn. Be sure to remove any unpopped kernels. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Popcorn Ball Syrup

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes bubbly and slightly thickened.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. If you're adding nuts, you can stir them in now. Pour this warm syrup over the popped popcorn and use a spatula to gently toss the popcorn to coat it evenly with the syrup.

Let the mixture cool for just a minute or two so it’s easier to handle. You want the popcorn to be warm, but not too hot to form the balls.

Step 3: Form the Popcorn Balls

Once the popcorn is coated with the syrup, lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray. Grab a handful of the syrup-coated popcorn and gently press it into a ball shape. Repeat with the remaining popcorn until you’ve formed about 8-10 popcorn balls, depending on the size. Place the formed balls on a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone mat to set.

Step 4: Make the Eggnog Sauce

While the popcorn balls are setting, it’s time to prepare the eggnog sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and eggnog and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and stir to combine.

Let the sauce simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will thicken slightly as it cooks. Taste the sauce and adjust the spices if you like more cinnamon or nutmeg. Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Step 5: Drizzle and Serve

Once your popcorn balls have cooled and set, drizzle the eggnog sauce over each popcorn ball. You can either drizzle generously or just add a light coating—either way, the eggnog sauce will add a creamy, spiced richness to each bite.

Serve immediately for the best taste and texture. If you're preparing them ahead of time, store the popcorn balls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce will stay nice and creamy for hours!

Why You’ll Love These Popcorn Balls with Eggnog Sauce:

1. A Festive Holiday Treat

Nothing says the holidays quite like eggnog, and when you pair it with the crunchy popcorn, it creates the ultimate festive snack. The spices of nutmeg and cinnamon in the sauce bring warmth and sweetness, making this a perfect treat for Christmas, New Year’s, or any other holiday gathering.

2. Fun and Easy to Make

These popcorn balls are surprisingly simple to make, and the whole family can get involved in the process. They’re a great activity for kids, especially when it comes to forming the balls and drizzling the eggnog sauce.

3. Customizable

This recipe is easy to customize! You can add your favorite nuts, like pecans, walnuts, or even almonds to the popcorn balls. Want to make them extra indulgent? Toss in some chocolate chips or even drizzle a little chocolate sauce over the eggnog sauce. The possibilities are endless!

4. Perfect for Gifting

Popcorn balls make great holiday gifts! Wrap each one in cellophane or a small clear bag tied with a festive ribbon for a cute, homemade gift that anyone will love. Add a small card with the recipe for a personal touch.

5. Light and Sweet

While these popcorn balls are sweet, they aren’t overwhelmingly so. The lightness of the popcorn and the richness of the eggnog sauce create a balanced treat that’s not too heavy, making it perfect for snacking throughout the holiday season.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve your popcorn balls with eggnog sauce as a stand-alone treat at your next holiday party, or pair them with a cup of hot cocoa or apple cider for a cozy, festive snack. These popcorn balls also make a great addition to a holiday dessert table alongside cookies, pies, and other seasonal treats.

For extra flair, top the popcorn balls with a little whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon just before serving.

Popcorn Balls with Eggnog Sauce are a delicious and festive treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. With the sweet, spicy eggnog sauce, crunchy popcorn, and optional nuts, these popcorn balls are sure to be a hit at any party or gathering. Whether you’re looking for a fun snack to share or a special homemade gift, this recipe has everything you need to make your holidays even sweeter.

Pin this recipe for later or share it with friends and family who love festive treats!