Popcorn "Balls" by Jessica Christensen

RECIPES

Popcorn Balls         ~~Jessica Christensen

2 quarts popped popcorn         ¼ cup butter

1 cup sugar                                    ½ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup corn syrup                  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup water

Place popcorn in a baking pan and keep warm in a 200* oven while preparing syrup.  In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, and salt.  Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly.  Continue cooking without stirring until the temperature reaches 270* on a candy thermometer.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla, stir just enough to mix.  Slowly pour over the popcorn.  Cool just enough to handle.  Shape the balls with buttered hands.  Yields 1 dozen.

Jessica’s note- I didn’t have a candy thermometer so I just continued to let it boil without stirring for awhile.  This could be why I couldn’t really make them into balls… So I just stuck the pan in the oven for 45 minutes and stirred it every 10-15 minutes.  It still didn’t come out very firm, so then I put it in cupcake papers and it hardened up when it cooled.