Title: Good Times Are Poppin' with Hoppity Poppity Easter Eggs
Author: The Popcorn Board
Suggested Feature Month: April
Word Count: 409 including recipe
Supporting Photo: "Hoppity Poppity Easter Eggs." This copyrighted photo is available for editorial use only, and may not be used in advertisements or for resale. If photo credit is given, please credit the Popcorn Board.

Good Times Are Poppin' with Hoppity Poppity Easter Eggs

Put a spin on a classic popcorn treat to create a colorful bounty the whole family will enjoy. We've taken popcorn balls a step further by adding sugar-free gelatin to the recipe. The gelatin adds flavor and color. Try two or three of your favorite flavors, mix in a handful of jellybeans and you're in for a tasty, eye-popping treat. You won't want to hide these eggs!

Hoppity Poppity Easter Eggs
Yield: 16 "eggs"

10 cups freshly popped popcorn
1 cup pastel colored jelly beans
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 package (10 ½ oz.) miniature marshmallows
1 package (3 oz.) blueberry, strawberry or lemon gelatin

• Combine popcorn and jelly beans in large bowl; set aside.
• Microwave butter and marshmallows in large glass bowl on HIGH for 2 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed. Stir in gelatin.
• Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and jelly beans. Mix lightly until coated.
• Shape into 16 (2-inch) eggs with greased hands.

Nutritional Information:
(Based on 1 "egg")
Total calories: 180; Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrate: 34 g; Sugar: 23 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 2 g;
Sodium: 130 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg

Make it a family project. Get creative with this "interactive" sweet treat. Kids love the feeling of slippery, buttery hands, which you will need to prevent the popcorn from sticking to your hands. Unlike food coloring, the color of the gelatin does not come off on your hands. Choose a solid color and form into an egg shape. Decorate with additional jellybeans if desired. Or, take a small amount of popcorn from each colored batch and mix together to create "egg-citing" designs and vivid masterpieces.

The nutritional bonus. Popcorn is a whole grain food and is a great way to add fiber to your diet. The gelatin in this recipe is a source of protein.

Stove top popping. If you haven't recently popped popcorn in a pan or popper, or if you know someone who has never experienced this popping method, take a few minutes for the simple pleasure of preparing it the "old-fashioned" way. As the oil begins to sizzle, anticipation grows for the first "pop"; then, visual mayhem erupts as these hard-cased seeds explode into soft fluffy kernels. It is a simple delight watching this bit of magic, the sound will make you giggle, and the smell will guarantee to make your mouth water!

For more great popcorn recipes, fun facts, experiments and photos visit www.popcorn.org.