Old-Time Popcorn Balls Recipe

Old-Time Popcorn Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Our whole family loves popcorn. These old-time popcorn balls are great anytime, but they're especially fun to pass out to trick-or-treaters or to use at Christmastime as stocking stuffers! They always look appealing when covered in a clear warp and tied with a festive ribbon.

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Old-Time Popcorn Balls Recipe

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield: 6-8 Servings

15 15 30

Ingredients

2 quarts popped popcorn
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

Place popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the molasses, sugar, water, vinegar and butter. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until the mixture reaches 235° on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). Add baking soda and stir well.
Remove from heat and immediately pour over popcorn, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until well coated. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cool water to prevent the syrup from sticking. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 170 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 4 mg cholesterol, 159 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Originally published as Old-Time Popcorn Balls in Reminisce November/December 1992, p51