Grandma's Popcorn Balls
Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Grandma’s Popcorn Balls, a classic homemade treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Perfectly popped kernels are coated in a luscious blend of buttery caramel made from light corn syrup, granulated sugar, and brown sugar, creating a delightful balance of sweetness with a hint of vanilla essence to round out the flavor. These chewy-yet-crunchy snacks are crafted by hand, making them a fantastic family activity or party treat. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients straight from the pantry, these caramel popcorn balls are ideal for holidays, bake sales, or a festive movie night. Easy to store and irresistibly festive, they’ll instantly become a beloved tradition in your home.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1
Prepare the popcorn: Place 1 cup of popcorn kernels in a popcorn maker or pot on the stove and pop them according to your method. Once popped, transfer to a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.
Step 2
Grease your hands lightly with butter or non-stick cooking spray and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the popcorn mixture from sticking as you work.
Step 3
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, light corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, and salt. Stir over medium heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is well combined.
Step 4
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue boiling without stirring for about 8-10 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 250°F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
Step 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 6
Carefully pour the hot syrup over the popped popcorn in batches, gently folding to coat the popcorn evenly without crushing it.
Step 7
Allow the mixture to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes until it is comfortable to handle but still pliable. Using your greased hands, form the coated popcorn into balls about 3 inches in diameter. Work quickly, as the mixture will harden as it cools.
Step 8
Place the formed popcorn balls onto the prepared baking sheet to cool completely.
Step 9
Wrap individual popcorn balls in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Step 10
Serve the popcorn balls as a fun snack, dessert, or party treat!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1244.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3964.2 |
| Total Fat 100.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 56.6g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 248mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1284.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 794.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 15g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 719.7g | |
| Protein 12.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 170.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 3.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 554.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories