For festive popcorn balls, add a few drops of food coloring to the syrup while it's cooking. Be very careful when working with hot syrup, as it can cause severe burns. If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can test the syrup by dropping a small amount into a bowl of cold water. It should form a firm, but pliable ball. Store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crispness.
Favorite Popcorn Balls
-
PREP TIME0 mins
-
COOK TIME0 mins
-
TOTAL TIME0 mins
-
SERVING14 People
-
VIEWS70
These classic popcorn balls are a nostalgic treat, perfect for holidays or any occasion. A delightful combination of sweet and crunchy, they're sure to bring smiles to everyone's face.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
-
Carbohydrate53 g
-
Cholesterol2 mg
-
Fiber4 g
-
Protein4 g
-
Saturated Fat1 g
-
Sodium98 mg
-
Sugar28 g
-
Fat6 g
-
Unsaturated Fat0 g
DIRECTIONS
Salamander lied porpoise much over tightly circa horse taped so innocuously side crudey mightily rigorous plot life. New homes in particular are subject. All recipes created with FoodiePress have suport for Micoformats and Schema.org is a collaboration byo improve convallis.
01 Step
Recipe View 2 mins Pop the Popcorn: In a large, 4-quart saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat over high heat. (Estimated time: 2 minutes)
02 Step
Recipe View 5 mins Add 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. Keep the pan moving constantly to prevent burning. (Estimated time: 3-5 minutes)
03 Step
Recipe View 15 mins Once the popping slows down significantly, remove from heat. Repeat the process until all the popcorn is popped. (Estimated time: 10-15 minutes)
04 Step
Recipe View 1 mins Place the popped popcorn into a large, buttered bowl.
05 Step
Recipe View 7 mins Make the Syrup: In a separate 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. (Estimated time: 1 minute)
06 Step
Recipe View 10 mins Stir in the sugar, molasses, and salt until well combined.
07 Step
Recipe View 2 mins Insert a candy thermometer into the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. (Estimated time: 5-7 minutes)
08 Step
Recipe View 7 mins Continue boiling the sugar mixture, stirring occasionally, until the candy thermometer reaches 260°F (126°C). This is the 'hard-ball' stage. (Estimated time: 8-10 minutes)
09 Step
Recipe View 20 mins Combine and Shape: Immediately pour the hot syrup over the popped popcorn, stirring continuously to coat all the kernels evenly. Work quickly! (Estimated time: 2 minutes)
10 Step
Recipe View Lightly butter your hands to prevent sticking. Shape the coated popcorn into 12 to 14 balls. (Estimated time: 5-7 minutes)
11 Step
Recipe View Place the popcorn balls on a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper to cool and set completely. (Estimated time: 20 minutes)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
RECIPE REVIEWS
LEAVE A REVIEW
Please Rate
Tyreek Oconner
Apr 17, 2025Make sure you are reaching the correct temperature on the candy thermometer, as this ensures that the sugar reaches the hard-ball stage. Also, work quickly when coating the popcorn and forming the balls.
Curtis Hermann
Mar 6, 2025This recipe is a classic for a reason! My kids love helping me make these, especially during the holidays. I add a little vanilla extract to the syrup for extra flavor.
Beaulah Terry
Feb 10, 2025My popcorn balls came out a little sticky. Any suggestions?
Ivory Quitzon
Oct 30, 2024So easy and delicious! I didn't have molasses, so I substituted dark corn syrup and they were still amazing.
Beth Schneider
Sep 30, 2024I've made these popcorn balls for years and they always turn out great. The key is to keep the popcorn moving while it's popping and to watch the candy thermometer carefully.