Popcorn Balls - Treat for Tuesday

The "kids" still like helping me make popcorn balls. And this is an ancient family recipe I'm sharing with all my blogging buddies.



Okay, I know they're a little lopsided but so are my pumpkins :) They're supposed to look like Jack-o-lanterns. Use your imagination . . .

POPCORN BALLS

INGREDIENTS:

2 and ½ quarts popcorn
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
½ cup white corn syrup
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vinegar
½ teaspoon vanilla (or orange extract)
(Food Coloring: 1 teaspoon Red and 2 teaspoons Yellow to create orange)

(OPTIONAL: Chocolate Chips, green gum drops, raisins and red licorice)

Heat water, vinegar, extract and white corn syrup over medium heat, add in food coloring

Slowly add in sugar and salt until sugar is dissolved. Bring mixture to a boil – let boil 3 minutes.

Pour mixture over popcorn – in a metal mixing bowl, stir with metal spoon (mixture will be hot) When cooled a bit, shape into balls and place on wax paper or silpat sheet. Decorate them with green gum drop tops, raisin or chocolate chips for eyes and licorice for the mouth. Or, you can try whatever ideas you come up with.

You can also make ghosts out of the popcorn balls. You just don't use food coloring. These are fun and OH SO YUMMY!