Popcorn Balls.

Because we don't get fall weather here in FL, we do what we can to celebrate the season with food and decor. I had my friend Eva over last week and we made candy corn studded, popcorn balls. Sweet and gooey; perfect for fall festivals and Halloween parties.



They are really easy to make.



Just make sure to butter your hands VERY well before forming the balls.



Or this will happen.



If your syrup starts to harden like ours did here, just put the tray in a warm oven for about 30 seconds.



Popcorn Balls.

9 Cups of popped corn
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of water
1/4 cup of light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon of vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

your choice of candy or sprinkles. I used candy corn and indian corn.

Grease a 17x12x2 rimmed baking sheet and place 9 cups of popcorn, (all unpopped kernels removed,) on the sheet. Keep warm in a 300 degree oven.

For the syrup, in a heavy sauce pan combine sugar, water,corn syrup, vinegar, and salt. Cook and stir over a medium high heat until mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling, stirring occasionally to keep from burning. Boil to a hard ball stage, or until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees.
Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in vanilla.
Sprinkle your candy or other add ins on the popcorn and pour the syrup mixture over all of it. Stir with a wooden spoon to coat the popcorn with the syrup. With well buttered hands, form into balls.

One bit of caution. The syrup mixture is very hot and can burn you pretty bad...kind of like hot glue, so be careful when you are pouring it.