Old Fashioned Halloween Treats: Popcorn Balls

 

I love Halloween!  What I miss the most are the homemade treats, both making them and most importantly handing them out knowing they will get eaten and not thrown away :-(   But HEY not all the fun is gone.  You can still make one of Mrs. V's favorite Halloweeny treats Popcorn Balls for in home Halloween parties! 

Why I remember this one little boy years ago who came over to my son's Halloween party and asked me what a popcorn ball was (my son was raving about them)....GASP!  What's a popcorn ball?!  I marched him right over to the treat table and gave him one and just one bite and the kiddo was hooked :-) that made me a happy camper.  

I have two recipes I use so pick and choose or do what I do and make them both!  

Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls (Makes 1 dozen)

•  8 cups popped white popcorn (white holds better texture and shape than yellow) If using microwave popcorn use un-buttered/plain
• 1 cup granulated sugar (I use the fine baking sugar by C&H)
• 1/3 cup corn syrup (light or dark your choice I use dark)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat Oven to 200 degrees F.  
• Pop the corn and spread out on wax paper lined cookie sheets, place in oven to keep warm
• In large saucepan on medium high heat stir the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt together.  Stir constantly until it comes to a boil and mixture reaches 270 degrees F (use candy thermometer)
• Remove from heat, add vanilla and give a quick stir.
• Pour mixture slowly over popcorn let cool enough to handle
• Butter your hands and shape into balls (I use disposable kitchen gloves and butter them up instead of using my bare hands)

The most important thing; Have fun eating them :-)

Just Like Cracker Jacks Popcorn Balls (Makes 1 dozen)

• 8 cups white popcorn (if using microwave popcorn use un-buttered/plain)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (fine baking sugar is best)
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla 
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups toffee peanuts  
•  
• Directions
• Preheat Oven to 200 degrees F.  
• Pop the corn and spread out on wax paper lined cookie sheets, place in oven to keep warm
• In large saucepan on medium high heat stir the sugar, molasses, water, butter and peanuts together.  Stir constantly until it comes to a boil and mixture reaches 270 degrees F (use candy thermometer)
• Remove from heat, add vanilla and give a quick stir.
• Pour mixture slowly over popcorn let cool enough to handle
• Butter your hands and shape into balls (I use disposable kitchen gloves and butter them up instead of using my bare hands 
•   ENJOY

Happy Halloween and until next time, see you 'round the table

Where Meals and Memories are Made