Sugar Plum Popcorn Balls Recipes

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.

SUGAR PLUM POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup plum jam, 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring. Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat; using a rubber spatula, stir in 12 cups popcorn until coated. Butter your hands, then shape into balls and roll in coarse sugar.

SALTY AND SWEET POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Light coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Combine the popcorn, pretzel pieces, 1 cup of the peanut butter chips and 1 cup of the milk chocolate chips in a large bowl. Toss to distribute evenly.
• Melt the butter, confectioners' sugar, corn syrup and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl in 15 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until completely melted.
• Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn mixture and stir until evenly coated. Quickly, but gently form twelve 2 1/2-to-3-inch-diameter balls with either your hands or a large cookie scoop lightly coated with cooking spray. Pretend you're making snowballs, but don't pack them too hard. Place each of them in a well of the prepared muffin tin so they hold their shape as they cool.
• When the popcorns balls are cool, melt the remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter chips, the remaining 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips and the white chocolate chips in each of 3 small microwave-safe bowls in 15 second intervals, stirring occasionally. Transfer the melted chips to each of 3 small piping bags or resealable bags. Snip the tips and drizzle over the popcorn balls. Top evenly with the crushed potato chips and let set, about 30 minutes, before serving.

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.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon each nutmeg and cayenne pepper, and 1 tablespoon water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat; using a rubber spatula, stir in 12 cups popcorn and 1 more cup mini marshmallows. Butter your hands, then shape into balls and roll in cinnamon sugar.

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.

GRANDMA'S CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SUGAR PLUMS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs for 1 minute. Gradually add 1 cup sugar; beat 1 minute longer or until thickened. Stir in the almonds, coconut, dates and extracts. Transfer to an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish., Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until browned and a thermometer reads 160°. Remove from the oven; stir. Let stand for 6-8 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Roll into 1-in. balls; roll in remaining sugar. Cool completely on waxed paper. Store in an airtight container.

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.

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.