Popcorn Balls with Butter Pecan and Pumpkin Caramel Sauce: A Fall Treat You’ll Love!Fal

Fall is the season for cozy flavors and sweet indulgences, and if you're looking for a fun, festive treat to enjoy with family and friends, look no further than Popcorn Balls with Butter Pecan and Pumpkin Caramel Sauce. This delicious treat combines the classic crunch of popcorn with the rich, buttery goodness of pecans, and a sweet, velvety pumpkin caramel sauce that’s absolutely irresistible. It’s perfect for Halloween parties, fall festivals, or just an autumn afternoon snack.

Whether you're reminiscing about childhood memories of sticky popcorn balls or discovering this twist for the first time, these popcorn balls are a perfect combination of textures, flavors, and the warmth of fall spices. Let's dive into how you can make these delightful bites!

Popcorn Balls with Butter Pecan and Pumpkin Caramel Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Popcorn Balls:

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

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

• 1/4 cup corn syrup

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup butter pecan pieces (or chopped pecans, toasted if desired)

For the Pumpkin Caramel Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Step 1: Pop the Popcorn

Start by popping your popcorn. You can use an air-popper, stovetop, or microwave, but make sure you have about 10 cups of popped popcorn. Place the popcorn in a large bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the Butter Pecan Syrup

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and stir to combine. Bring this mixture to a simmer and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly and becomes bubbly.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Add in the butter pecan pieces (or chopped pecans). Stir to incorporate and set aside.

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn

Pour the hot butter-pecan syrup over the popcorn and use a large spatula or spoon to gently stir and coat the popcorn evenly. The syrup will make the popcorn sticky, so make sure every kernel is covered in that sweet, buttery goodness.

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

Step 4: Form the Popcorn Balls

Once the popcorn is coated and cool enough to handle, lightly grease your hands with butter or oil. Scoop up a handful of the syrup-coated popcorn and gently press it into a ball shape. Repeat with the rest of the popcorn mixture until you’ve formed all the popcorn balls. You should be able to make about 8-10 balls, depending on the size.

Place the formed popcorn balls on a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to cool and set.

Step 5: Make the Pumpkin Caramel Sauce

While the popcorn balls are setting, it’s time to make the pumpkin caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt butterover medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Add the heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt to the mixture. Stir constantly and let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. It should be smooth, creamy, and glossy.

Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow it to cool slightly before drizzling.

Step 6: Drizzle and Serve

Once the popcorn balls have set and the pumpkin caramel sauce is ready, drizzle the pumpkin caramel sauce over each popcorn ball. You can drizzle generously or just a little—either way, it’ll add a delicious layer of sweetness to each bite.

Serve immediately, or store the popcorn balls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The popcorn balls are best enjoyed within a day or two, but they’ll keep their flavor for a few days if you can resist!

Why You’ll Love These Popcorn Balls with Butter Pecan and Pumpkin Caramel Sauce:

1. A Perfect Fall Treat

The combination of pumpkin and pecans makes this dessert scream autumn. The pumpkin caramel sauce is rich, creamy, and full of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg that evoke the best of fall flavors.

2. Irresistibly Sweet and Buttery

The butter pecan syrup is so rich and decadent—it coats every kernel of popcorn, creating a sweet and salty crunch that’s utterly addictive. The addition of butter pecans adds a delightful nuttiness that perfectly complements the sweetness of the syrup and the caramel.

3. Easy to Make

While they may look fancy, these popcorn balls are surprisingly easy to make. The ingredients are simple, and the process is quick—especially with the popcorn balls being no-bake! The hardest part is waiting for the popcorn to cool enough to shape into balls!

4. Customizable

You can easily customize these popcorn balls by swapping out the butter pecans for other nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts, or even chocolate chips for an extra indulgence. You can also adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less pumpkin caramel sauce to your liking.

5. Fun for All Ages

Whether you're making them for a Halloween party, a fall festival, or just to enjoy with family, these popcorn balls are a great treat for both kids and adults. They’re easy to grab and go, making them ideal for parties or on-the-go snacks!

Serving Suggestions:

These popcorn balls are the perfect treat for your next fall get-together, but you can also enjoy them as a movie night snack, a gift for friends or neighbors, or a festive addition to your holiday dessert table. For a more decorative touch, you can wrap each popcorn ball in clear cellophane and tie it with a fall-colored ribbon for a cute gift.

Serve with a warm mug of apple cider or pumpkin spice latte for the ultimate fall experience!

Final Thoughts:

Popcorn Balls with Butter Pecan and Pumpkin Caramel Sauce are a deliciously creative twist on the classic popcorn ball, taking advantage of all the cozy, comforting flavors of fall. With the buttery crunch of pecans, the soft, airy popcorn, and the rich, spiced pumpkin caramel sauce, these treats are sure to become a new seasonal favorite. Whether you're making them for a special occasion or just because, these popcorn balls are a fun and flavorful way to celebrate the best of autumn!

Pin this recipe for later, or share it with your friends and family who love to indulge in fall treats!