Best 7 Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls Recipes

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Old fashioned popcorn balls are a delightful snack that can enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. The key to making perfect popcorn balls is to use fresh popcorn and to cook it until it is just the right consistency. Once the popcorn is cooked, it is mixed with a sugar syrup and then formed into balls. The popcorn balls can be enjoyed plain or they can be coated with chocolate, nuts, or other toppings.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS



Traditional Popcorn Balls image

Kids of all ages enjoy this popcorn ball recipe as an old-fashioned holiday treat. One batch goes a long way. -Cathy Karges, Hazen, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

7 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring, optional

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 203mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

OLD FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS



Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls image

I made these with my grandmother for years. They are soft and delicious- and NOT made with marshmallow fluff! If using bag popcorn- make sure it is not buttered and use 2-3 bags.

Provided by mrsteacher22

Categories     Candy

Time 1h10m

Yield 20 balls

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 -3 cups popcorn
2 cups sugar
1 cup white Karo
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Heat popcorn in oven at 300 degrees.
  • Stir and cook sugar, karo, water, butter and salt until sugar is dissolved.
  • Continue cooking WITHOUT stirring until mixture reaches 270 degrees on candy thermometer, (can use a kitchen thermometer) or until syrup forms a soft ball in cold water.
  • Add vanilla and pour slowly over popcorn.
  • Mix well.
  • Dip hands in water and form balls.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 169.9, Fat 4.7, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 12.2, Sodium 138.9, Carbohydrate 33.7, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 24.6, Protein 0.1

OLD FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS RECIPE



Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls Recipe image

Learn how to make popcorn balls the traditional way with real caramel you make yourself. A fun and delicious treat for the holiday season made easy with these simple directions. A new Halloween tradition the whole family will enjoy.

Provided by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Categories     Appetizer

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup un-popped)
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup butter

Steps:

  • Start by popping the corn.
  • Place 1/4 cup oil over medium-high heat with three kernels of corn. As soon as the corn pops, remove from heat, add 1/2 cup of un-popped corn and cover with a lid. Allow to set for 20-30 seconds for the kernels to come up close to popping temperature. Place back over medium-high heat and pop the corn shaking the pan occasionally.
  • You need 8 cups of popped corn. Spend little time getting rid of un-popped kernels. The easiest way is to shake the container and moving the top layer to another pan.
  • Prep a large pan and a wooden spoon or rubber spatula with PAM, and transfer popcorn to the pan. This is the point to add nuts or candy if desired-about 1 cup and mix in well.
  • In a non-stick pan, add 3/4 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark), 1/2 cup light Karo corn syrup, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Place over medium-high heat with a candy thermometer and cook to 260°, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and place back over low heat until butter melted.
  • Now for the hot part. Slowly pour the hot syrup over the popcorn while mixing with the PAM coated spoon.
  • Continue to stir for a few minutes until cooled some. Spray your hands with PAM or butter. Be VERY CAREFUL since you can get burnt so test very carefully before proceeding and only proceed if you feel safe. I kept the cold water running in the sink if needed.
  • Form the popcorn into balls of about 1 cup each by scooping with a measuring cup with a heavy coat of PAM. Place on wax paper or cooking mat to shape. Work quickly and use more PAM as needed - about every two balls. So scoop, dump, shape, cold water on hands if needed, a spray of PAM if needed (cup and hands), then repeat QUICKLY until done. DO NOT OVER-COMPRESS AND MOVE QUICKLY.
  • Allow to finish cooling. You can wrap with plastic wrap, and they should keep 3-4 days.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 408 kcal, Carbohydrate 63 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Sodium 148 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 46 g, UnsaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

OLD-FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS



Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls image

Popcorn always make a crowd-pleasing snack...but you can make it into a chewy, sweet delight with this classic recipe.-American Pop Corn Co., Sioux City, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Snacks

Time 35m

Yield 1 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup light or dark corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Place popcorn in a baking pan and keep warm in a 200° oven. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. , Continue cooking without stirring until the temperature reaches 270° on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. Add vanilla; stir just enough to mix. Slowly pour over the popcorn. Cool just enough to handle. Shape with buttered hands.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 213mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

GRANDPA'S POPCORN BALLS



Grandpa's Popcorn Balls image

Great, Great Grandpa Apell had a huge farm in Illinois with prize-winning corn. He made Popcorn Balls for all the Grandkids at Christmastime. He lived to be 106 and claimed workin' the farm and eatin' corn was the secret! This recipe is delicious!

Provided by 3KIDS5

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Popcorn Candy Recipes     Popcorn Ball Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
½ cup butter
¼ cup water
salt to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
5 quarts popped popcorn

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 457.7 calories, Carbohydrate 75.1 g, Cholesterol 24.4 mg, Fat 18.7 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 317 mg, Sugar 48.9 g

CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS, HOMEMADE AND OLD FASHIONED



Caramel Popcorn Balls, Homemade and Old Fashioned image

These old-fashioned Halloween treats are surprisingly easy to make and oh so yummy! The shown weight of the popcorn pkg is a guess, just use standard size pkg's.

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Dessert

Time 35m

Yield 1 big batch

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 (3 ounce) bags microwave popcorn, naturally-flavored
1/4 cup butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Pop corn in the microwave using package's directions one bag at a time, removing any unpopped kernels.
  • popped corn in warm (not hot) oven to keep warm and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan with a candy thermometer inserted, combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup.
  • Stir well and bring to boiling over medium heat.
  • Stir in condensed milk; simmer, stirring constantly, until thermometer reads 238 degrees F (114 degrees C).
  • Stir in vanilla.
  • Pour caramel over popped corn and stir to coat.
  • Butter hands lightly; shape popcorn into balls about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 3375.8, Fat 75.7, SaturatedFat 41.8, Cholesterol 191.4, Sodium 852.4, Carbohydrate 657.2, Fiber 37.1, Sugar 372.6, Protein 50

POPCORN BALLS FROM KARO®



Popcorn Balls from Karo® image

Old-fashioned popcorn balls!

Provided by Karo Corn Syrup

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     ARGO®, KARO®, FLEISCHMANN'S®

Time 20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 cups popped popcorn
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup Karo® Light or Dark Corn Syrup
¼ cup butter or margarine
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
½ teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Spray large roasting pan with cooking spray; add popcorn and place in 300F oven until warm. (Popcorn can also be warmed in a large microwave safe bowl for 1 to 2 minutes on HIGH (100%) power.)
  • 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. Cover hands with two plastic bags, spray bags lightly with cooking spray. Working quickly shape twelve 3-inch popcorn balls.
  • Cool completely. Wrap individually in plastic wrap.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.6 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 300.5 mg, Sugar 19.1 g

Tips:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the sugar mixture from burning.
  • Stir the sugar mixture constantly to prevent crystallization.
  • Cook the sugar mixture until it reaches the hard-ball stage, which is 250 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
  • Add the popcorn to the saucepan and stir until it is evenly coated with the sugar mixture.
  • Form the popcorn mixture into balls using your hands or a spoon.
  • Place the popcorn balls on a greased baking sheet and let them cool completely.
  • Store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature.

Conclusion:

Old-fashioned popcorn balls are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of these classic treats that are sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a fun and festive snack, give old-fashioned popcorn balls a try!

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