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Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls

An old-fashioned recipe for making old-fashioned popcorn balls with a little new age technique. Bring back the good ole days with Grammy's recipe.

Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword popcorn
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
cooling time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 20 Popcorn Balls
Author jettskitchen.com

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound popcorn kernels
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cups Karo Light Corn Syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2/3 cups boiling water
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Using a kitchen scale measure out 1/2 pound of popcorn. Pop kernels and set aside.

  2. Mix Karo syrup, water, cream of tartar, sugar and vinegar in a medium saucepan and boil to soft crack (275-280 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer).

  3. Add melted butter, vanilla and baking soda. Stir to combine.

  4. Pour mixture over popcorn and toss or stir. Please note the mixture will be very hot. Before shaping popcorn balls allow mixture to cool slightly.

  5. To easily form balls rub some butter between hands and begin shaping popcorn into balls and place on waxed paper to completely cool. Recipe yields 20 popcorn balls give or take.