Grandma Hornsby's Popcorn Balls

Step back in time with Grandma Hornsby’s Popcorn Balls, a nostalgic treat bursting with sweet, buttery caramel flavor and a perfectly chewy crunch. This classic recipe combines freshly popped popcorn with a homemade caramel sauce made from granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and a touch of vanilla for a comforting, old-fashioned charm. With just 25 minutes of prep and cook time, these delightful popcorn balls are easy to make and perfect for family movie nights, holiday treats, or gifting. Each bite offers a satisfying balance of salty and sweet, crafted with simple pantry staples and a traditional candy-making technique. Serve these golden, glossy popcorn creations as a festive snack or wrap them individually for a mess-free, portable indulgence sure to please kids and adults alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup light corn syrup
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add a couple of popcorn kernels to the pot to test the heat. Once they pop, pour in the rest of the kernels and cover the pot with a lid.

Step 2

Gently shake the pot back and forth over the burner to ensure the kernels pop evenly and do not scorch. Continue until the popping slows to about 2 seconds between pops, then remove the pot from the heat.

Step 3

Pour the popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. Set aside.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, unsalted butter, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil.

Step 5

Once boiling, stop stirring and let the mixture cook until it reaches 250°F (120°C) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 7

Carefully pour the hot caramel over the popcorn, using a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss the popcorn until it is fully coated.

Step 8

Allow the mixture to cool slightly until it is safe to handle but still pliable.

Step 9

Grease your hands with a little butter or oil and scoop a handful of the coated popcorn. Press it together firmly to form a ball, about the size of a baseball. Repeat until all the popcorn mixture is used, working quickly before it hardens.

Step 10

Place the popcorn balls on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper to cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(529.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2199.1

Total Fat 79.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 124mg	0%
Sodium 623.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 378.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.6g	0%
Total Sugars 290.4g
Protein 13.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 21.0mg	0%
Iron 3.2mg	0%
Potassium 349.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.3%

Protein: 2.4%

Carbs: 66.3%