Fruity Popcorn Balls Recipes

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Spray large roasting pan sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray; add popcorn and place in 300ºF oven until warm.
• Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat. Continue stirring and boil 2 minutes.
• Remove syrup mixture from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda.
• Pour syrup mixture over warm popcorn stirring to coat well. Add in sprinkles and mix to combine.
• Once mixture has cooled slightly and is able to be touched, spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray. Working quickly to shape twelve 3-inch popcorn balls.
• Cool completely. Wrap individually in plastic wrap.

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 270° (soft-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over popcorn; stir to coat. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into balls.

TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large baking pan; keep warm in a 200° oven. , In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 235° (soft-ball stage). , Remove from the heat. Add the butter, vanilla and food coloring if desired; stir until butter is melted. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. , When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking.

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large heavy pot over low heat. Add marshmallows and brown sugar and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
• Pour popcorn and cranberries, or English toffee bits if using, into pot; toss well. With buttered hands, shape into 2 1/2-inch balls. Set on parchment lined baking sheet to dry slightly.

GELATIN-FLAVORED POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a 1/4 sheet pan or two 8x12 inch baking dishes. Generously butter a heavy 2 quart saucepan.
• Distribute popcorn evenly in prepared baking pans. Place in oven to keep warm.
• In prepared saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, gelatin, corn syrup and water. Heat to 250 to 265 degrees F (121 to 129 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball.
• Pour mixture evenly over popcorn and stir until coated. Return popcorn to oven and bake 5 minutes; stir, then bake 5 minutes more.
• Turn popcorn out onto a large piece of foil. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then form into balls. Or let cool completely and break into clusters. Store in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place.

FRUIT AND POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Butter a very large bowl. Add popped popcorn and your selection of the 2 cups of fruit and/or nuts. I like 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped cashews.
• Heat brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt, and juice until just boiling. Pour over dry ingredients in bowl.
• Butter hands with additional butter or cooking spray and form into tennis size balls. Compact lightly to get the mixture to hold a ball shape. Set aside. Wrap each popcorn ball in plastic wrap.
• Option: The balls can be drizzled with melted chocolate for gift giving. I like to use white chocolate on the cranberry/ cashew ones. After wrapping with plastic wrap, I tie with a burgandy colored ribbon.

PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a large saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in peanut butter until mixture is smooth.
• Place popcorn in a large bowl. Pour peanut butter mixture over popcorn; toss until evenly coated. Form into about 16 balls using buttered hands. Arrange balls on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet; allow to dry and set, at least 30 minutes.

CHEWY FRUITY POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Pop the popcorn (DO NOT SEASON), remove unpopped kernels and set aside in large mixing bowl.
• Into a 2 quart saucepan, add remaining ingredients.
• Heat slowly (medium) until sugar is melted.
• Pour over popcorn and toss well.
• Form popcorn balls (spray hands lightly with cooking spray) and wrap each one in plastic wrap.
• Enjoy!