Here’s a question: Do people still buy pudding mix to make actual pudding or is most pudding mix purchased to use as an ingredient? When was the last time you bought a box of instant pudding mix and just whipped it up for dessert? I'd like to see some charts and graphs! Okay, not really. But I was thinking about that as I made Pina Colada Popcorn, a type of candied popcorn made with pudding mix. .
Someone somewhere (I don't know the origin of this one, unfortunately) combined coconut pudding mix, rum extract and dried pineapple to make a pina colada popcorn. It really does have a pina colada flavor, and it’s nice and crisp despite the fact no candy thermometers or strict boiling times are involved. I thought it was a fun little recipe and would definitely make it again for a coconut lover or a tropical themed party.
Oh, not that you asked, but I always pop corn in a brown paper sack in the microwave. It usually takes about 2 or 3 minutes, but if you put a handful of popcorn in a brown bag, fold down the top of the bag and shake it up a little, you can pop corn without any oil.
Recipe
Pina Colada Popcorn
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup instant coconut cream pudding mix
- ¾ teaspoon rum extract
- ½ cup diced dried or candied pineapple
- Slivered almonds
- Coconut flakes optional
Instructions
- Rub a large roasting pan with butter and put the popped popcorn in it. Put the pan with the popcorn in a 300 degree oven to keep it warm while you make the sauce.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the corn syrup and pudding mix, then remove from heat and stir until smooth – mine still had a few lumps in it, but apparently that is okay. Stir in the rum extract.
- Pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn and stir to coat. Bake popcorn, uncovered, in a 300 degree F oven for 15 minutes. Stir well and bake for another 5 minutes. Transfer to a large baking sheet covered with nonstick foil or parchment and let it cool completely. Toss with a little dried pineapple and some coconut flakes.Serve popcorn immediately or store, tightly covered, in a cool, dry place. I store mine in the freezer.
Sonya says
Thank you so much for the extra details!
Shirley D says
Haven't used pudding mix as 'pudding' in years.... I think it was something we did a lot when kids were young. I don't use it much anymore ... mainly in cookies, cakes, ice box desserts, etc.
Anna says
Good luck! You might have to make it a few times just to get the exact times right. It will vary depending on your microwave, how much corn you put in the bag, etc. I usually put about 1/4 cup in the bag, Roll down the top just slightly (leaving plenty of room in the bag for popcorn expansion), then set microwave to 3 minutes on high. Take it out before you think you need to the first time (when popping slows) and see how much popped. You'll probably have a lot of unpopped kernels. For the next round, increase the time slightly.
Sonya says
thank-you for the popcorn tip! my husband likes it as a healthy snack sometimes, but we make ours from scratch and there was all that oil, even though he usually didn't add butter. we will try this!