Halloween brings memories of the fun we all had when we were kids. That was back when you could go Trick or Treating without parents.
Getting Snickers and other little candy bars was great, but what we all treasured were the popcorn balls made by little old ladies in the neighborhood.
Sure, you can get a popcorn ball on Amazon or at a supermarket checkout stand in October, but you miss the glorious deliciousness of one made at home.
My Mom made them a few times a year, and they were a favorite treat for my brothers and me.
One thing I must point out is to be very careful when heating the caramel mixture on the stove. I still have a scar on my upper right arm where I managed to brush against the side of the saucepan. So make sure your kids don't get up close and personal as you pour the hot mixture into the bowl of popped corn.
Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
8 cups popped corn
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter (1 and 1/2 sticks)
Instructions
1. Measure the popped corn into large heat-proof bowl.
2. Combine all the other ingredients in a large heavy saucepan like a Dutch oven.
3. Heat the mixture to over medium to high heat, stirring frequently.
4. Cook, stirring constantly, until the temperature of the mixture registers 260 degrees F. on a candy thermometer.
5. Reduce heat to low and stir in the butter. Keep stirring until it's all melted.
6. Pour the hot mixture in a thin stream over the popped corn in a large bowl. Stir the corn as you're pouring the hot caramel mixture so the popped corn gets well-coated.
7. Cool the coated popcorn slightly. If it's too hot, it won't hold together in balls. If it gets too cool, it will be hard to form into balls.
8. Butter your hands, take a handful of coated popcorn, and shape into balls. Make popcorn balls as large or as small as you wish. My Mom and the other ladies made them the size of a baseball.
9. Place each popcorn ball on a sheet of wax paper to cool.
10. When completely cool, wrap each in plastic wrap. You can also place each in a sealable plastic bag.
Takeaway Truth
Try these once, and you'll make them as a Halloween treat every year.
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Halloween brings memories of the fun we all had when we were kids. That was back when you could go Trick or Treating without parents.
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