Mommas Popcorn Balls

Popcorn!  Popcorn! Get your hot buttered popcorn!  Where do I sign up?!  It is funny to me that popcorn is finding it's way into so many treats these days.  You see a lot of holiday friendly styles of white trash (white chocolate coated popcorn mixed with candies and nuts) making appearances at parties.  If you haven't tried it well its just fabulous!  It plays on the sweet and salty thing very well and although it maybe covered in chocolate it taste like it could pass for a light snack, of course with loads of calories!   Lets not be naive here.   Even though I love hot buttered popcorn at the movies, and I am even guilty about indulging in some white trash I must say there is something even more addicting...popcorn balls.  Maybe it’s the chewy carmel like texture you get when you first bite into it *drooling* anyway it is a have to make when it comes close to all hallows eve.  It has been something I can remember my mother making every since I was little.  She says it is my Great Grandmothers recipe on my Dads side, with a few tweaks of her own =)    

2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar

¾ cup light karo 

¾ cup filtered water

1/2tsp salt

1 stick salted butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 small jars marshmallow cream or 1 large

6 packages of buttered popcorn

In a sauce pan add 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar, 3/4 cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup of water (do not use Pampa water) and 1/2 tsp salt.  Cook over low heat until sugar is completely dissolved, stirring gently.  Once that is done bring heat to medium and cook with out stirring until you reach hard ball stage right at 254 degrees.  Remove from heat and stir in 1 stick of salted butter, 1 tsp vanilla and 2 jars of marshmallow cream.  

While your sauce is cooking separate your popcorn from the kernels that may not have popped and lay on baking dishes.  My family has found that doing it this way instead of in bowls gets a more even coat on all of the popcorn.   

Once sauce is all combined drizzle over popcorn and with well buttered hands begin to mix with your popcorn.  The caramel is obviously still very hot.  You can wait a few minutes before you begin mixing with your hands.  If you would like to use a wooden spoon go right a head. 

Once the popcorn balls are made you can wrap in saran wrap or place in decorative baggies to hand out to family on halloween.  They keep very well.  Before bagging all together please allow to sit about 30 minutes to ensure they do not stick together.