Jingle Bell Popcorn Balls Recipes

POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a big bowl, combine the popcorn and 11/4 cups each of the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Toss to distribute evenly.
• In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, sugar, corn syrup and marshmallows, stirring constantly to keep the mixture from burning.
• When the sugar mixture boils, pour it over the popcorn mixture and stir to evenly coat, then quickly but gently form balls in the size you like. Place them in small bowls or the wells of a muffin tin that have been lightly coated with cooking spray so they hold their shape as they cool. Pretend you?re making snowballs but don?t pack them too hard.
• In two separate small saucepans over low heat, melt the remaining 1/2 cup each peanut butter chips and milk chocolate chips (or microwave in two small bowls) and drizzle the two over the cooled popcorn balls.

GRAMMY CARL'S POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper; set aside. Place the popcorn in a large bowl; set aside.
• In a heavy medium pot, stir to combine the molasses, sugar, butter and vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the mixture reaches 260 degrees F (hard ball stage) on a candy thermometer, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then pour over the popcorn; fold and mix to coat using a rubber spatula. Let the popcorn cool slightly.
• Coat your hands well with butter and form the popcorn mixture into 1/2-cup balls, squeezing to keep the popcorn together. Place on the prepared baking sheet and let sit until completely cooled and hardened, about 20 minutes.

CANDY CORN POPCORN BALLS

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.

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.

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.

FESTIVE JELL-O POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Microwave butter and marshmallows in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until marshmallows are puffed. Stir in gelatin mix until well blended.
• Add to popcorn in large bowl; toss to coat.
• Shape into 16 balls with greased or moistened hands.

JACK-O'-LANTERN POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a roasting pan; keep warm in a 200° oven. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage)., Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and food coloring (about 1 teaspoon yellow and 9 drops red) until blended. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until coated. When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-1/2-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking., Cut triangles and rectangles from candy bars for pumpkin eyes, noses and mouths. In a small bowl, combine the frosting with 5 drops of yellow and 3 drops of red food coloring; attach facial features with frosting. Attach a spearmint leaf to the top of each.

OLD-TIME POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine molasses, sugar, water, vinegar and butter. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until mixture reaches 235° on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). Add baking soda and stir well. , Remove from heat and immediately pour over popcorn, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until well coated. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cool water to prevent the syrup from sticking.

JELL-O POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Place popped popcorn in a large bowl, lightly buttered.
• Bring the corn syrup and jello mix to a boil in a saucepan.
• Boil over medium heat until mixture separates into a hard thread when dropped into very cold water, about 6 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from heat and pour over popcorn, mixing quickly to coat well. Let stand for about 3 to 5 minutes and with your hands buttered, shape into 1-1/2 inch balls.
• NOTE: these balls can also be made using Kool-Aid unsweetened drink in any flavor instead of the Jell-O, and it is the same procedure.

JINGLE BELL POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine popped corn, gumdrops,yogurt raisins, and nuts. In heavy saucepan, combine corn syrup, honey, vinegar and salt. Bring to boiling. Cook mixture over medium heat to hard-ball stage (260^). Add butter and vanilla, stirring till butter is melted. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat evenly. With buttered hands form into mini balls or stuff into buttered mini-muffin tins; or spread out in jelly roll pan -press down to compress.

OLD-FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS

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.

JELLO POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except popcorn in a heavy sauce pan.
• Bring to a boil and cook just till jello and sugar are dissolved.
• Pour over popcorn and mix well and fast.
• Wet your hands under cold water, shake it off don't dry it and work quickly forming popcorn balls.
• As you make them , wrap them in squares of wax paper.
• Re-wet your hands in between forming.
• The amount you get will depend on how big you make them -- cook time is left blank because it will vary.

FAVORITE POPCORN BALLS

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. Repeat until all corn has been popped. Place popped corn into a buttered bowl.
• In 2 quart saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugar, molasses, and salt. Insert a candy thermometer in saucepan and boil sugar mixture on medium heat until the thermometer reads 260 degrees F(126 degrees C).
• Pour syrup over corn, while stirring popcorn thoroughly. Butter hands lightly. Shape popcorn into 12 to 14 balls.