Recipes
Lets Make Popcorn Balls
October 27, 2013
I think popcorn balls are a perfect treat for this time of the year and
that got me to thinking of how people used to hand them out
to trick-or-treaters. The more I thought about this the more I
wanted to make some for my family.
Lets start with 3 bags of microwave popcorn popped-you may have
a few delicious little puffs while your syrup cooks to perfection...
You will need a candy thermometer plus a heavy and trustworthy
saucepan. Word of caution watch that thermometer-it takes quite a
while for the syrup to get to soft ball stage but whoo hoo then it
really takes off! Not fun to work with hot syrup that is overcooked.
Popcorn Balls-
adapted from Paula Deen
You will need an oversized bowl to mix popped corn and cooked syrup mixture together. Butter for your hands to shape the popcorn balls and parchment paper to place popcorn balls on.
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
11/1 tsp vanilla
Food coloring (optional)
3 bags popped microwave popcorn
If you would like your popcorn balls to be colored, just add a few drops of food coloring to the syrup when you add the vanilla.
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, Karo syrup,
vinegar and salt. Stir all ingredients together and cook over medium-
high heat until the syrup reaches hard ball stage on candy
thermometer. Stir in vanilla and pour mixture over popped corn toss
gently to coat. When mixture seems to be cool enough to handle-
butter hands then shape popcorn into balls moving quickly before
the syrup sets. Cool completely until they are set up nicely.
That's it-they are done, they are delicious and they are ready to be
wrapped up in your favorite treat bag or a plain baggie will do.
Final step deliver them to your family, friends or a Fall Festival and
be sure to save a couple for yourself!
Please Join Me~
Inside BruCrew Life
This Gal Cooks
that got me to thinking of how people used to hand them out
to trick-or-treaters. The more I thought about this the more I
wanted to make some for my family.
I was taking a little trip to Oklahoma to see the youngest daughter
and to go the one of the most amazing craft shows ever (post to
follow later in the week.) So, I asked her what I should bring-
answer was Popcorn balls. Was this perfect or what? So, here we
go, I have a super recipe to share with you.
a few delicious little puffs while your syrup cooks to perfection...
You will need a candy thermometer plus a heavy and trustworthy
saucepan. Word of caution watch that thermometer-it takes quite a
while for the syrup to get to soft ball stage but whoo hoo then it
really takes off! Not fun to work with hot syrup that is overcooked.
Popcorn Balls-
adapted from Paula Deen
You will need an oversized bowl to mix popped corn and cooked syrup mixture together. Butter for your hands to shape the popcorn balls and parchment paper to place popcorn balls on.
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
11/1 tsp vanilla
Food coloring (optional)
3 bags popped microwave popcorn
If you would like your popcorn balls to be colored, just add a few drops of food coloring to the syrup when you add the vanilla.
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, Karo syrup,
vinegar and salt. Stir all ingredients together and cook over medium-
high heat until the syrup reaches hard ball stage on candy
thermometer. Stir in vanilla and pour mixture over popped corn toss
gently to coat. When mixture seems to be cool enough to handle-
butter hands then shape popcorn into balls moving quickly before
the syrup sets. Cool completely until they are set up nicely.
wrapped up in your favorite treat bag or a plain baggie will do.
Final step deliver them to your family, friends or a Fall Festival and
be sure to save a couple for yourself!
Please Join Me~
Inside BruCrew Life
This Gal Cooks
Jemma, these popcorn balls look absolutely adorable, and I'm sure are just as delicious. You always surprise us in such scrumptious ways!
ReplyDeletePoppy
PS: Your new Google+ profile pic is very pretty! :)
Well another lovely post. Gosh you do some nice work. I am always impressed. I do know that it is tricky to get that sugar at the right temp to make candy. I did that once. And I love the way you wrapped them and put them in that basket - beautiful. sandie
ReplyDeleteThis post brings back the memories.....I used to do this when my kids were small but I haven't made any in years...Thanks for the suggestion and the receipt; this just might be the year to make them again.....I love the bags you used....
ReplyDeleteMmmm.....popcorn balls take me back to my childhood, and school Halloween parties! Haven't had one since my kids were little. Thanks for stoking my memory machine.
ReplyDeleteOh your recipe looks awesome, and I remember as a little girl how there were a few people who handed out homemade popcorn balls. They were always the first thing I ate. That was back in some safer days, sadly enough. Interesting that you were in Ok. I have a cabin up there, on the Arkansas border, and was up at war eagle last weekend. That wasn't where you were was it??? That would be pretty funny. Have a great day. I am def. going to make those popcorn balls
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I do remember them...and my Mom breaking a tooth on one of them, and never letting us have them again, lol.
ReplyDeleteThey look good.
Jen
What a perfect treat for Halloween or any time! I sure would love to munch on one right now. xo
ReplyDeleteI used to love getting popcorn balls when I went trick or treating! Nowadays parents would never let their kids eat anything homemade in the trick-or-treat bag. It's still a yummy recipe to make at home though!
ReplyDeleteJemma,
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about popcorn balls lately and craving them. I think it's because I can't have sugar right now, so of course I want it. These look so yummy, and they are wrapped up, festive, and ready to go. I remember like it was yesterday that some people handed out these treats for Halloween. Aaahhh, the memories.
Love,
~Sheri
Hi Jemma, thanks for your kind comment and following my blog, I'm so pleased!! It's great that you rediscovered crochet and I'm sure you will be addicted in no time ;-). I'm gladly following your nice blog now with Feedly. These popcorn balls are such a great idea, thanks for the recipe! I must keep it in mind for next Halloween's trick-or-treaters :-). Have a nice evening!
ReplyDeleteNata
I remember making these as a kid with my mom for Halloween. The neighbor kids always received these awesome gift bags from us instead of the regular pieces of candy. It was neat because they were always so excited to come over to our house first thing. In the country we don't get trick or treaters anymore but it would be fun to make some and just share with the grown up neighbors. Great Idea!
ReplyDeleteCarole @ Garden Up Green
I remember making these as a kid with my mom for Halloween. The neighbor kids always received these awesome gift bags from us instead of the regular pieces of candy. It was neat because they were always so excited to come over to our house first thing. In the country we don't get trick or treaters anymore but it would be fun to make some and just share with the grown up neighbors. Great Idea!
ReplyDeleteCarole @ Garden Up Green