Indulge in a nostalgic treat with Grammy Carl's Popcorn Balls, a delightful confection made from simple ingredients that come together to create a sweet and crunchy snack. These bite-sized delights are perfect for parties, movie nights, or as a sweet treat to enjoy anytime. With variations such as the classic Caramel Popcorn Balls, the unique Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn Balls, and the colorful Rainbow Popcorn Balls, this recipe offers a range of options to satisfy every palate. Get ready to create these timeless treats that are sure to bring back fond memories and create new ones.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
CANDY CORN POPCORN BALLS
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 25m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat; add the popcorn kernels and peanut oil. When the oil starts to sizzle, sprinkle the sugar over the kernels. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and shake the pot until the popping slows down, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and add the popcorn, candy corn and peanuts.
- Combine the marshmallows and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn mixture and gently toss to coat.
- Coat your hands with cooking spray, then shape the popcorn into 3-inch balls. Let cool.
OLD FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS RECIPE
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
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
CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
Your Halloween party needs these sweet and crunchy popcorn balls from Food Network.
Provided by Marcela Valladolid
Categories dessert
Time 35m
Yield 6 to 8 popcorn balls
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Grease a large mixing bowl and baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the popcorn according to packaging instructions and dump into the prepared mixing bowl. Combine the brown sugar, honey and butter in a medium heavy pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it boils. Continue to cook, stirring only occasionally, to prevent it from sticking, until a sugar thermometer inserted reaches 300 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the baking soda and salt, stirring rapidly. Immediately pour the caramel over the popcorn, tossing to coat. Cool until the mixture is cool enough for handling, about 5 minutes. Using a bowl of water to dampen hands, shape the popcorn into balls about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the caramel popcorn balls on the prepared baking sheet and pierce with a lollipop stick or skewer.
- Then drizzle the popcorn balls with the melted chocolate and decorate.
TRADITIONAL POPCORN BALLS
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
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.
GRANDMA'S CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
My mom made these delicious popcorn balls when I was growing up. While doing my Christmas candy and cookie baking, I came across her recipe. I made the family recipe for the first time this year. My daughters, grown with their own families, asked why I hadn't made these sooner. Thirty plus years later, this recipe will now be a family tradition at Christmas.
Provided by Kim1520
Categories Desserts Candy Recipes Popcorn Candy Recipes Popcorn Ball Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Sort through popcorn, discarding unpopped kernels.
- Combine evaporated milk, sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil; stir constantly until caramel reaches 246 degrees F (119 degrees C) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
- Pour some popcorn into a very large bowl. Pour in some of the caramel; stir until evenly coated. Add remaining popcorn and caramel in batches, stirring well after each addition.
- Scoop some of the popcorn mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Gather and twist the plastic wrap to gently shape into a ball. Place popcorn ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; repeat with remaining mixture. Let cool until set, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 340.2 calories, Carbohydrate 43.2 g, Cholesterol 7.3 mg, Fat 18.5 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 356.8 mg, Sugar 27.1 g
GRANDMA'S POPCORN BALLS
My Grandma made the BEST popcorn balls every year for Halloween. Everybody wanted her recipe and lucky me - I got it 30 years before she passed away. Now that I am a Grandma of 3, I look forward to making these for my grand children.
Provided by CindiJ
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 7m
Yield 12 balls, approx.
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In large pot mix well the sugar, Kayro syrup, vinegar and bring to boil. Continue until mixture reaches the Hard Crack Stage on candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in popped popcorn. Butter your hands and scoop enough coated mixture to form baseball sized balls.
- You have to work quickly as the coating will harden very fast. When cooled, wrap in wax paper, twisting to close.
- Preparation and cooking time does not include time to pop popcorn.
- Cooking time varies with weather conditions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 197.1, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 2.5, Sodium 25.6, Carbohydrate 46.8, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 24.4, Protein 1.4
CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
Easy to make and delicious. Kids Love them.
Provided by Suzanne
Categories Desserts Candy Recipes Popcorn Candy Recipes Popcorn Ball Recipes
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Place popped corn in oven to keep warm. Repeat until all corn has been popped. 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 322.1 calories, Carbohydrate 54.8 g, Cholesterol 12.8 mg, Fat 10.4 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 51 mg, Sugar 25 g
BEST EVER POPCORN BALLS
Sweet, crunchy balls of popcorn.
Provided by TABKAT
Categories Desserts Candy Recipes Popcorn Candy Recipes Popcorn Ball Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 190.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32.8 g, Fat 7 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 151.7 mg, Sugar 20.9 g
GRANDMA'S CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
This was one of my favorite treats that my grandmother used to make for me and my brother. This is the exact recipe that I just inherited from my grandmother along with many other wonderful recipes I will be posting.
Provided by ChipotleChick
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 15 balls, 15 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup.
- Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Stir in condensed milk.
- Simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a soft ball in cold water (takes just a few minutes). It will be between 234-238 degrees farenheit on a candy thermometer.
- Stir in vanilla and remove from heat.
- Pour over the popped popcorn and stir well.
- Butter your hands lightly, and shape the popcorn into balls about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Makes about 15 balls.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 202.2, Fat 4.8, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 13, Sodium 57.1, Carbohydrate 39.2, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 25.1, Protein 2.5
GRANDPA'S POPCORN BALLS
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
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
Tips:
- For a sweeter popcorn ball, use a mixture of white and brown sugar.
- If you want a chewier popcorn ball, cook the sugar mixture to a higher temperature (240°F).
- To make the popcorn balls easier to handle, grease your hands with butter or cooking spray.
- If you're having trouble keeping the popcorn balls together, try adding a little more corn syrup to the sugar mixture.
- Be careful not to overcook the sugar mixture, or it will become hard and brittle.
- Store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Popcorn balls are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of popcorn balls that are perfect for parties, picnics, or just a snack. So next time you're looking for a sweet and satisfying treat, give popcorn balls a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love