Classic Molasses Popcorn Balls Recipe

This recipe makes wonderful crisp-chewy caramel popcorn balls that taste a bit like Cracker Jacks. Add some peanuts to make them even more Cracker-Jacky, and be sure to use a molasses with a nice flavor for the best result. Makes about 40 classic Halloween popcorn balls.

This easy popcorn ball recipe calls for plain granulated sugar, but feel free to use brown sugar to give them a richer flavor.

Ingredients:
1 C. granulated sugar
3/4 C. light corn syrup
1/4 C. molasses
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
8 quarts (1 gallon) popped popcorn, unpopped kernels removed

Instructions: 1. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, molasses, butter, and salt.

2. Bring to a simmer, and cook over medium for about 3 1/2 minutes.

3. Pour mixture over popcorn.

4. Mix well with a wooden spoon or spatula.

5. With greased hands, form into popcorn balls.

6. Let cool on greased baking sheets or waxed paper.

1. If using add-ins, add them after you combine the popcorn and caramel-syrup recipe of your choice. Stir well, then form into balls.

2. It's easiest to form popcorn balls while mixture is hot-- get helpers to make the process move along quickly.

3. Keep a bowl of cold water handy to cool your hands if hot popcorn mixture starts to burn.

4. Taking out the unpopped kernels is key-- unless you want to break a tooth. An easy way to do this is to use your hands to scoop the popped popcorn into another container. All of the unpopped corns will fall to the bottom.

5. For colored popcorn balls, pour a few drops of food coloring into the caramel or marshmallow mixture before adding to popcorn. Make the color brighter than you need, as the pale-colored popcorn will dilute any coloring.

6. Resist the urge to over-pack your popcorn balls. Tightly packed popcorn balls are hard and not very tasty.

Popcorn balls can be decorated for any occasion: Halloween, Christmas, birthdays... you name it.

Popcorn Ball Decoration Ideas:

• Food coloring for colored popcorn balls
• Edible glitter
• Melted white, milk, or dark chocolate (drizzled)
• Melted peanut butter or butterscotch chips (drizzled)
• Candies, such as candy corns, jelly beans, red hots, etc.
• Black licorice for "spider legs"
• Gummy "body parts"
• Gummy worms

Popcorn Ball Add-ins:

• Nuts (peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, etc.)
• Chocolate or white chocolate chips
• Peanut butter or butterscotch chips
• Toffee bits
• Melted peanut butter (add to caramel/marshmallow mixture)
• Sprinkles
• Cocoa powder or baking chocolate (add to caramel/marshmallow mixture)
• Mini or regular M&M's
• Graham cracker pieces
• Dried fruit
• Sweetened flaked coconut
• Alternative flavoring extracts: coconut, almond, rum, maple, peppermint, etc.

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