Saturday, October 31, 2009

Spooky Popcorn Balls

Okay, they're not really spooky, are they? They're so easy...that's what's spooky about them!
I made this first batch plain. The recipe only made up seven of them, but it's not so bad because it's really not that time consuming.
I decided to add some orange jello for color to the second batch. Because of all the jellos in the world, orange is my favoritest. I liked these, it gave just a little flavor (I added half the package to the syrup mixture), but the girl didn't like them.
And because I love salty and sweet together, I added some mini m&m's to the last batch. This was a little tricky since I had to let the popcorn mixture cool off enough to not completely melt the candies, but still warm enough to make into ball shapes. It's all about balance people!
The girl put them in cute little candy corn bags and piled them all in a lasagna pan for passing out later tonight.
I think dentists around the community will be happy with me :)
Here's the recipe I found at Halloween-website.com.
I like it because it's simple and you don't have to use a candy thermometer or anything complicated like that.

8 c. popped popcorn

2/3 c. light corn syrup

2/3 c. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

Combine the corn syrup, sugar and salt in a large kettle and heat on medium heat while stirring until dissolved. Add the popcorn to the kettle and toss. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until mixture becomes very sticky. Remove from heat.

Shape popcorn into balls with clean hands and cool. Wrap the balls in plastic wrap and seal tightly with a twist tie.

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I know I promised in the last post to share Emeril's black-eyed pea salad. Hope you're not too disappointed. Popcorn balls trump peas everytime :)

21 comments:

Monica H said...

You're so right about popcorn ballys trumping peas everytime! ha ha!

Happy Halloween to you and the girl!

Foodiewife said...

I absolutely love popcorn balls. I seriously thought of making them, but then I decided it was too much of a hassle. Now, you've given me an easier way. I need to add this to my "must make" list. Great job!

Tracy said...

Very cute, and so easy!

Katy ~ said...

I haven't had popcorn balls since I was a girl. So good to see a modern mom making these.

Rylan @ ArtandAppetite said...

How awesome. This is something I'd love to try.

Thanks for sharing.

Reeni said...

These look yummy! Love the m&m's!

Anonymous said...

aw...these are sooo cute and yum yum looking....

The Redhead Riter said...

Double, double toil and trouble;
fire burn and cauldron bubble.
~ Shakespeare "Macbeth"~

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

noble pig said...

My kids were so excited when they got popcorn balls last night!!

teresa said...

adorable! hope you had a great halloween!

Kathleen said...

These look soooo yummy! I've never made them! Whats up with that?

MaricrisG said...

They're actually cute. Kinda reminds me of snowballs. Maybe I can make some and use them for snowball fights this winter with my daughter! lol - Thanks for the recipe. Hope your Halloween was great as well.

Velva said...

These popcorn balls are perfect for halloween or an anytime treat. Thanks for sharing.

The JR said...

I haven't had popcorn balls in ages.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I made a popcorn cake but it was just so-so this looks MUCH better! I'll have to give it a try.

Popcorn over peas anyday, everyday!

Hope your Halloween was a great one!
~ingrid

Christy said...

Oh-you've just stirred many wonderful memories of my Granny making pop-corn balls for all the grandkids during Halloween. We LOVED seeing them wrapped up with beautiful ribbons and couldn't wait to practically break our teeth chomping into them. :)

Hope you had a fantastic Halloween!

The Blonde Duck said...

Can I make these post Halloween and not be judged?

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

My girls would go crazy over these because of the M & M's.

Krista said...

Love the homemade treats! I've been thinking about making popcorn balls lately...I remember em' from when I was a kid. I bet your trick or treaters were thrilled with these.

Krista said...

Love the homemade treats! I've been thinking about making popcorn balls lately...I remember em' from when I was a kid. I bet your trick or treaters were thrilled with these.

Juliana said...

Lovely idea...will save it for when my niece and nephew come to visit me, besides it is a great idea for pic nic as well :-)