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Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 55 reviews

Sweet, spicy, and delightfully crunchy, this Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn recipe combines classic microwave popcorn with a fiery cinnamon candy glaze. Perfect as a snack for movie nights or parties, this treat features a glossy red coating made from red cinnamon imperials, butter, sugar, and corn syrup, baked to crispy perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Popcorn

  • 3.3 ounce bag plain microwave popcorn, popped (about 6–7 cups popped popcorn)

Syrup & Coating

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 9 ounces red cinnamon imperial candies (Red Hots)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 225°F (107°C) to prepare for baking the coated popcorn.
  2. Prepare the popcorn: Lightly butter a roasting pan and spread the popped popcorn evenly inside. Place the pan in the oven to warm the popcorn while you make the cinnamon syrup.
  3. Make the cinnamon syrup: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter mostly. Add the red cinnamon imperials, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then continue boiling for 5 minutes to develop the candy glaze.
  4. Finish the syrup: Remove the pan from heat. Carefully stir in the baking soda and cinnamon extract if using. The mixture will foam slightly, so stir quickly and gently.
  5. Coat the popcorn: Pour the warm syrup over the preheated popcorn in the roasting pan. Stir well to ensure all popcorn pieces are evenly coated with the cinnamon glaze.
  6. Bake the coated popcorn: Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Stir the popcorn every 15 minutes to keep it evenly coated and prevent burning.
  7. Cool and store: Remove the popcorn from the oven and give it one final stir. Allow it to cool completely in the pan until it hardens. Once cooled, break into pieces and store in an airtight container for freshness.

Notes

  • For best results, use freshly popped plain microwave popcorn without added butter or flavorings.
  • The cinnamon extract is optional but enhances the cinnamon flavor significantly.
  • Be very careful when working with hot syrup as it can cause burns.
  • Stirring every 15 minutes during baking prevents the popcorn from sticking together and promotes even coating.
  • This snack is best enjoyed within a few days for optimal crunchiness.

Keywords: Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn, cinnamon candy popcorn, spicy popcorn snack, baked popcorn recipe, sweet and spicy popcorn

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/red-hot-cinnamon-popcorn-recipe/