Although it’s a simple recipe, there is more to these Easter egg-shaped popcorn balls than meets the eye. Kids will be thrilled with the surprise awaiting them inside this fun Easter dessert!

Have you ever had a kinder egg? They were clearly created by someone who understands the appeal that cheap trinkets have for children. Basically, it’s a chocolate egg with a plastic toy inside. At least it’s pretty good European chocolate rather than the super waxy cheap American stuff that shall remain nameless.

In any case, those little European treasures are what inspired today’s Easter treat, along with a fun memory from my childhood…

As a little girl, I remember making a recipe that my mom called “popcorn balls over Tootsie Pop.” It’s super simple (hooray for fool-proof cooking!). Just mix together marshmallows, butter, and Jell-o mix, and then pour it over popcorn. Mix to coat the popcorn and form into balls…over the top of a Tootsie Pop. The result looks kind of like a popcorn-covered caramel apple.

I have fond memories of sitting on the counter, licking super sticky fingers and picking bits of colorful popcorn off the mixing spoon while my mom formed the balls. In fact, when I made this recipe again this week, I was amazed at how the taste so quickly made me feel five-years-old again.

Somehow, these two desserts swirled around in my mind a little while ago, and I wondered to myself, “What if I put a prize-filled plastic Easter egg inside a popcorn ball, so that when kids eat it, they’ll be surprised to find a second treat underneath the gooey popcorn?!”

This is the kind of thing that gets your kids to nominate you for mom-of-the-year, people. Or at least I can hope it will encourage them to forgive a few of my many mom-related flaws.

Anyway, after letting the idea stew for a month now, Little Brother and I finally got cooking in the kitchen while his older brother was at preschool a few days ago. He consumed way too much sugar in the making of these popcorn balls, but he loved every bit of it, so we’ll call that a win.

When Little Man came home from preschool, he immediately noticed the eggs sitting in a basket on the counter, and almost died waiting until after dinner to eat one. Maybe he won’t nominate me for mom of the year after all. Then again, he was beyond thrilled when he realized there was another prize inside what he thought was just a popcorn ball, so I’ll still hope.

Oh, the simple joys of a four-year-old!

In the end, I’m happy to report that my experiment was a success! These treats would be a perfect Easter surprise to add to your kids’ Easter baskets, to deliver to neighbors, or to serve to grandkids (or whoever) as a fun Easter dessert.

However you choose to use them, I hope you enjoy every sticky bite!

Easter egg surprise popcorn balls

Notes: You can make multiple colors and flavors of eggs by simply halving the recipe and/or making multiple batches. I did one purple (grape) half batch and one pink (strawberry) half batch.

Also, I found that the miniature plastic eggs were best for the size of popcorn ball I wanted to make. You can definitely use normal sized eggs, but your balls will need to be bigger to cover them, and the recipe won’t yield as many. I filled my eggs with small coins (quarters and dimes) as well as little candies. You could also use stickers, jelly beans, miniature plastic animals, or whatever else will fit inside. 

Yield: 10 surprise popcorn eggs (depending on size)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 pkg. (10-1/2 oz.) miniature marshmallows
• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) gelatin(JELL-O or whatever brand you want), any flavor
• 3 qt. (12 cups) plain popped popcorn (that’s 1/2 cup before popping)

Additional supplies:

• 10 small plastic Easter eggs (I recommend the mini eggs)
• 10 small toys, stickers, candy, or coins
• wax paper/parchment

Directions:

1. Fill 10 plastic eggs with some kind of prize.
2. Pop popcorn, and remove any unpopped kernels. Set aside.
3. Microwave butter and marshmallows together in a large microwaveable bowl on high for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed. Note: cutting up the butter will make it melt more evenly with the marshmallows.
4. Add dry gelatin mix; stir until the color is uniform.
5. Pour over popcorn in large bowl; toss gently with a rubber scraper or spoon to coat. Try not to smash the popcorn.
6. Shape a handful of popcorn around a filled plastic egg until it looks like an egg. Note: I highly recommend spraying some cooking spray on your hands so it doesn’t turn into a complete gooey mess.
7. Repeat with remaining eggs and popcorn.
8. Place eggs on wax paper (or parchment) and allow to cool completely.
9. Wrap in plastic wrap or place in little cellophane gift bags and tie with ribbon.

You’re ready for Easter! Enjoy!

What are your favorite Easter treats and traditions?