Popcorn Balls

Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (9)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(9)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
--
Yield:
1 dozen 2" balls

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 30 min

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Ingredients

11/2 cups white sugar
11/2 cups light corn syrup
2 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoon vanilla
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
10-12 cups popped popcorn, salted or unsalted as prefered

Directions

In a saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, and vinegar. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan making sure that the bulb is submerged but not touching the bottom. Cook the mixture over medium high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Continue to cook, uncovered, without stirring until the temperature registers 260 F, or alternatively, until a hard ball forms when a bit of the mixture is dropped in cold water. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and 4 tablespoons butter.

Pour mixture over popcorn in a large buttered bowl and stir to coat. Use remaining butter to coat hands and shape the popcorn into balls and transfer to a parchment or wax paper-lined sheet pan. When the balls have hardened, individually wrap them in plastic wrap, colored plastic gift wrap or wax paper and secure ends with colorful ribbon.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Popcorn Balls
Susan Frankfort, IL 10-23-2008
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Easy and fun to make!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I popped two bags of microwave popcorn and used all (hint: remove the unpopped seeds.) Cooked the syrup until it began to... boil (since I don't have a candy thermometer.) Then followed the instructions as written and buttered my hands often. Made 17 balls. Very easy, fun, and tastey! Read more
recipe Popcorn Balls
Lisa Milford, MI 10-22-2008
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OMG GOOD & EASY
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Wow I have never made popcorn balls in my life and they came out great. I only wish they stayed sticky a little longer I... tried to add so Halloween sprinkles an most fell off. That might have been my fault though because I accidentally let the temperature get up to 270 degrees, and also addded orange coloring and things hardened quickly once I started forming the balls. These are going to be a hit at my daughters party!!!! Thanks for the recipie!Read more
recipe Popcorn Balls
Chanel new york, NH 03-26-2007
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RATED ON SOUND
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

it sounds very yummy and i love popcorn balls! is this a recipe teens will like?
recipe Popcorn Balls
Sarah Dewitt, MI 10-23-2006
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Popcorn balls
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I agree too much syrup for one batch. However I used microwave popcorn (two packages) and had about 4 cups of popcorn left... over that I mixed in (a total of 16 cups of popcorn). I would say it was just about right for the amount of syrup. Also I added in yellow and red food coloring to make it orange for Halloween! One more suggestion, is that maybe not heat up the sugar to "hard ball" as they are bit hard to bite off. Next time I will try only heating to "firm ball" which is just a few under 250 degrees. I ended up with about 2 dozen fist sized popcorn balls that look and taste great!Read more
recipe Popcorn Balls
Jessica kansas city, MO 12-31-2005
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Too much syrup!
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

The recipe makes faaaaaarrr too much syrup, in my opinion. I used about HALF of what was called for, otherwise the balls... were extremely gooey and just not good. They were pretty bland anyway though :(Read more
recipe Popcorn Balls
Hollis Weslaco, TX 11-01-2005
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An Old Fashion Popcorn Ball
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I was telling my Wife about going to the house of a friend of the family. On Halloween and Christmas she would make the best... popcorn balls its been nearly 35 yrs since I had one till tonight when I made these.I took me back to my childhood and was really easy to prepare.My Wife says they are sooooooo good!!You hit this one out of the ballpark.Read more