Popcorn Balls Recipe


9 cups air-popped popcorn
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Pop popcorn using a hot air popper, remove all up-popped kernels.
Popcorn should be warm when adding sugar mixture.

Spray the sides of a medium saucepan with nonstick spray. Combine
sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Stirring constantly, heat to
boiling over medium-high heat (5-7 minutes).

When sugar is dissolved, reduce heat to medium until you have a slow
but moderate boil. Maintain heat until a candy thermometer reaches
250° F (about 20 minutes). If you don't have a candy thermometer drop
a small amount of sugar mixture into very cold water. It should
separate into threads which are hard but not brittle.

Remove saucepan from heat and add vanilla. Pour the syrup mixture over
hot popcorn and stir quickly to coat all popcorn evenly. Allow to cool
slightly until it's cool enough to handle. With buttered hands,
quickly shape the mixture into balls about 3 inches in diameter. Place
each ball on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray.

Makes 10 servings
Serving Size: 1 ball