How To Make Popcorn Balls

It's easy to learn how to make popcorn balls. Try making some at your next gathering and watch how quickly they disappear! This recipe yields about twelve to fifteen large popcorn balls, but make them smaller and drizzle them with melted chocolate and roll in crushed nuts for a tasty alternative. Popcorn balls aren't health food, but popcorn is a good source of dietary fiber.

To make popcorn balls, you will need:

• 7 cups popped corn
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To make popcorn balls, put popped corn into a large bowl. Check the bowl for "old maids" (corn that didn't pop). No one wants to break a tooth on one of those!
2. Mix sugar, water, light corn syrup, salt and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Keep an eye on the cooking mixture and be sure it doesn't boil over.
3. Cook until mixture reaches 250 degrees fahrenheit, or until a few drops form a hard ball when dropped into cold water.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir the vanilla extract into the mixture.
5. Pour a thin stream of candy mixture over the popped corn. Stir constantly, to mix well.
6. Use butter (or vegetable spray) to grease your hands. Work quickly and shape the popcorn mixture into balls. The mixture should yield twelve to fifteen large popcorn balls. Adjust size and yield according to your preference.

Be sure to use a candy thermometer and not a meat thermometer if using one to check the temperature during the boiling stage. Additional add-ins before the shaping of the popcorn balls can include mini chocolate chips, dried fruit or chopped nuts.