Popcorn Balls remind me of birthday party favor bags, Halloween, the scent of butter-sugar bubbling, my Mom and home.
Mom makes these every Halloween. In fact I request them for my birthday gift, I love them that much.
I don't make these as often as I should as it seems, not only do kids love them but adults secretly take one on the way out. Always.
You know, it's ok to feel like a kid when a scented memory brings you back to a favorite childhood memory.
Worried about your sugar intake? Let's not be so serious with every thing in our life, have the popcorn ball.
Just eat. Be happy. Laugh.
It is ok to just feel good once and a while.
My Mom's recipe is the best to date. I added a bit extra popcorn and it made a difference, eeek. Mine were not as caramel chewy as hers so stick to the recipe.
1 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup margarine 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup corn syrup 2 1/2 bags unsalted unbuttered microwave popcorn popped = PLAIN POPCORN.
Set aside the popped corn.
I pop mine over the stove, the old fashioned way. I actually have never owned a microwave. I always feel like, if it can't take ten minutes to warm something up or make something then life is far too busy and out of balance. To slow down in my kitchen is like a moving meditation for me, it relaxes me.
Anyways, back to the recipe.
Heat all ingredients except popcorn in pot over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir for 2 minutes, any longer and the sauce becomes like hard candy when cooled.
After the 2 minutes, remove pot from heat.
Stir in popped popcorn until well coated, cool slightly.
Too hot and your hands won't take it nor will the popcorn balls stick.
Too cool and they will clump rather than form.
When ready to form the popcorn balls take a tiny bit of margarine or butter in hands and rub hands together coating palms.
Shape mixture into popcorn balls, not pressing them too hard. If you press them together too hard it will cause them to be super heavy and solid, dense.
Gently shape them and place on counter top to cool.
Continue to coat palms with margarine or butter.
Once the popcorn balls are cool, wrap each one in Saran Cling Plastic Wrap and then with ribbon or twist the gathered wrap.
Enjoy.
Please let me know how they turn out!
Sharlyn, Market Gypsy. ~xo