By Laura | Laura The Gastronaut
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8-10 popcorn balls
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Popcorn balls are one of the best treats on a fall day and during Halloween! Freshly popped corn is covered in a homemade caramel sauce for the perfect treat. Hand these homemade popcorn balls out on Halloween night or keep them all to yourself to snack on while watching scary movies.
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (240 grams) light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Halloween sprinkles, optional
➊ Make the popcorn: In a large saucepan, pour in the oil and 2 kernels. Place over medium heat until both of the kernels pop.
➋ Remove the pan from the heat, add in the rest of the kernels, and let sit off-heat for one minute (don't turn the burner off). Put back onto medium heat. Loosely place lid on top of pan so that steam can escape. Cook until the popping stops. Remove from heat and transfer popcorn to a large rimmed baking sheet.
➌ Make caramel sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, add brown sugar, light corn syrup, butter, and sea salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Off heat, stir in vanilla extract.
➍ Make popcorn balls: Pour caramel sauce over popcorn in large rimmed baking sheet. If using, add sprinkles. Let sit until cool enough to handle. When ready, spray hands with cooking spray or dip hands into cold water. Mix the popcorn and caramel sauce together, and form the popcorn into 2"-3" balls. You should get 8-10 popcorn balls. Let cool completely.
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Find recipe at: https://laurathegastronaut.com/popcorn-balls