Mom's Popcorn Balls
Indulge in a nostalgic treat with Mom's Popcorn Balls—a timeless recipe that brings together fluffy, freshly popped kernels and a luscious homemade candy syrup for the ultimate balance of sweet and crunchy. Perfectly golden and infused with a touch of vanilla, these popcorn balls are shaped by hand and set to cool for a treat that's as fun to make as it is to eat. With just a handful of pantry staples like corn syrup, sugar, and butter, this recipe creates 12 delightful servings, making it ideal for holidays, parties, or simply satisfying a sweet craving. Whether wrapped individually for gifts or enjoyed straight from the sheet, these old-fashioned popcorn balls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for search terms like "homemade popcorn balls," "classic popcorn treats," and "fall snacks," this recipe offers a simple yet scrumptious way to create a beloved childhood favorite.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Light corn syrup
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1
In a large pot with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot. Shake the pot occasionally as the popcorn pops to prevent burning.
Step 2
Once the popping slows to about 2 seconds between pops, remove the pot from heat. Transfer the popped popcorn to a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.
Step 3
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves.
Step 4
Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Cook until the syrup reaches 250°F (hard-ball stage). This will take about 8–10 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the syrup from the heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 6
Quickly pour the hot syrup over the popcorn. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the syrup into the popcorn until evenly coated.
Step 7
Grease your hands lightly with butter or cooking spray. Working quickly, scoop portions of the coated popcorn and shape them into balls about the size of a baseball. Be cautious as the mixture will still be hot.
Step 8
Place the popcorn balls on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
Step 9
Once cooled, wrap each popcorn ball in plastic wrap to keep them fresh, or serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (789.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2236.8 |
| Total Fat 42.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 11.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g | |
| Cholesterol 31mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1196.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 474.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 15g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 401.4g | |
| Protein 12.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 29.0mg | 0% |
| Iron 2.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 341mg | 0% |
Source of Calories