“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BoxtrollsFamilyNite https://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”
Popcorn boxes perfect for a fun family movie night, and ideal for decorating to make your very own Pop Secret Boxtrolls!
I love taking my kids to the movies. It is one of our favorite family outings. Ever since my kids were very little my husband and I have enjoyed movies as a way of spending time together.
A few years ago our kids had an early out day from school, so we decided to hit the theater for a matinee. The theater was practically empty. It was us and a couple of seniors citizens. Let’s just say the movie did not go so well. This kid had to go potty, that kid needed popcorn. It was a lot of up and down. When my youngest saw a baby on the screen and said, “Oh cute! A baby!” the other patrons had apparently had enough of us, though in our defense, all the up and down was during the previews, regardless, the person went and got a manager.
We got kicked out!
I was less than thrilled. But I learned that maybe going to the theater is not he best idea until my kids are a little older. Now we usually just watch movies together at home. Which I love because it is cheaper, no one cares when the kids talk, and we get to make our own treats!
We saw The Boxtrolls in theaters, and we loved it. It was such a cute movie, and the kids were quoting it for days after. Especially the “Jelly” part. I loved how many great messages the movie held about things like not excluding others, and being accepting of everyone, having courage, and more. So when it came out on DVD and Blu-Ray I ran right over to Walmart and picked it up for a fun family movie night. I am so glad it is out, we actually got the combo pack, so I have the DVD in the player in the car, and the Blu-Ray in the house, and the kids have been watching it a lot!
Then, being me, I had to create a fun food related activity to go along with it, because that is what I do! And this one was a good one!
So I love popcorn balls. As a kid, I would always beg my mom to make them. I loved fairs and carnivals, and anything where I could get them. It is funny to me because now it more about Kettle Corn then popcorn balls, but many of my memories of youth have to do with the popcorn balls.
Anyway…getting back to the subject on hand, I thought popcorn boxes would be a really cute and fun way to make a themed treat for our The Box Trolls family movie night.
My husband works a lot of nights, and Sundays we like to just sleep and vege out. About a year ago we started this thing called “Sunday Movie Night”. It lasted a grand total of 6 months. After one too many movies like “Frenemies” (a Netflix special chosen by my daughter), and I couldn’t stand the torture another week. So we dissolved Sunday Movie Nights. But my kids constantly ask if we can start them back up. So I told them we could, IF Dad and I got to pick the movies. The Box Trolls was a great choice for this because the kids loved it, but it wasn’t one of those torturous kid movies that have me wanting to pull my hair out!
And you guys this activity was such a fun way to spend time together as a family, it was easy, and tasty. I used Pop Secret microwave popcorn, which is delicious, and always stocked in our pantry. And then made this delicious, but easy to make marshmallow caramel sauce!
It only takes a few minutes to whip up.
Caramel Popcorn Boxes
Ingredients
- 1 package Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Popcorn- popped
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 TBS light corn syrup
- 18 Large Marshmallows
- Non-stick cooking spray
Garnish
- Candies to garnish to make look like The Boxtrolls
Instructions
- Pop bag of popcorn and set aside.
- Melt butter in a heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat
- Add in dark brown sugar, salt, and light corn syrup. Stir until sugar is melted and no longer grainy.
- Remove from heat and add in marshmallows right away, stir continuously until they are melted entirely.
- Add in popcorn, and stir to coat. If desired, add additional popcorn to reduce concentration of sauce to popcorn
- Spray a 10 inch by 10 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray, and spoon popcorn into it.
- Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray and lightly press on popcorn (be careful it can be hot), to even it out in the pan.
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes to cool and set
- Cut into squares, and decorate with candies.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
It was so fun, so I highly recommend heading to Walmart and picking up The Boxtrolls DVD and Pop Secret 10ct Movie Theatre Butter Popcorn (while supplies last). Then make popcorn boxes to decorate! When I originally came up with the idea, I only made the boxes, but the kids got creative with extra popcorn to make heads, etc. If I were to do it again I would likely make Oreo Cookie Balls, or some other truffle or treat to use as a head and licorice or something for arms and make them full on, not just the box part!
We love caramel popcorn, check out these other fun recipes:
Perfect Popcorn (A non-sticky version of caramel popcorn)
And our two favorites: The Great Popcorn Debate
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