“I first made these during the Christmas season in high school for my friends. By mistake I forgot to add the vanilla. But they were such a huge hit that year that Annemarie has asked me to repeat that mistake ever since.” – April Ferre
April’s Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 7 Cups Popcorn Popped
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Water
- 1/3 Cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
- Have popcorn ready in a large bowl.
- Mix sugar, water, corn syrup, salt and butter in saucepan. Cook to 250 degrees (hard ball stage). Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over the popped corn, stirring constantly to mix well.
- Shape with buttered hands into balls or any other desired shape.
- If desired, you may also tint the balls different colors by adding food coloring to the syrup before it is poured over the popcorn. Makes 12 to 15 large balls.
1999 Recipe – April Ferre – From Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook, 1956