Double Chocolate Popcorn Balls

A cocoa-flavored syrup is the binder for these double-the-yum chocolate popcorn balls studded throughout with colorful, miniature candy-covered chocolates.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
8 cups freshly popped popcorn
1 cup M&M's® Chocolate Mini Baking Bits

Cooking Directions:

1. Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and cocoa in medium saucepan; bring to a boil.
   
2. Add popcorn, stirring until evenly coated. Remove from heat. Stir in "M&M's"® pieces. Cool slightly.
   
3. Shape into 2-inch balls.
   
4. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap, or in cellophane paper decoratively tied with ribbon or raffia.

Makes 18 popcorn balls.

M&M's® is the registered trademark of Mars, Incorporated.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of The Popcorn Board.