Hurricane Popcorn Balls Recipes

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.

CARAMEL AND CHEDDAR POPCORN MIX

Steps:

• For the Cheddar popcorn: Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and fold in the popcorn to coat. Sprinkle in the cheese powder and mustard powder. Fold together to evenly coat. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
• For the caramel popcorn: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and generously spray with nonstick spray.
• Wipe the large pot clean of any excess popcorn residue. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter to the same pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to let it boil, without stirring, until it turns a deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, vanilla and baking soda. Gently fold in the popcorn until well coated (spraying a rubber spatula works well, here!). Transfer the popcorn to the prepared baking sheet and bake until the caramel has melted around the popcorn and nicely coats the kernels all over, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, about 10 minutes. Break into pieces and add to the serving bowl.

BEST EVER POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, margarine, cold water, confectioners' sugar and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, coating each kernel.
• Grease hands with vegetable shortening and quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls before it cools. Wrap with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

GRANDPA'S POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter and water. Stir and heat to hard-crack stage or 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Remove from heat, add vanilla or vinegar; mix well.
• Pour slowly over popped popcorn while stirring. Wait 5 minutes and shape into 3 inch round balls.