Popcorn Balls

As promised, I am here to solve your leftover Halloween candy problem with a sweet and salty gem of a recipe.  It comes from my 1961 Betty Crocker Cookbook that was gifted to me by my grandmother a couple of years ago at Christmas.  

The cookbook is delightfully funny and very insightful.  It provides all sorts of advice on how to be the best 1960's housewife you can be.  If you want to hear a bit more about it you should take a peek at one of my first posts: Shrimp Gumbo (which also came from this cookbook).  And just so you know...there may or may not be a little story about my great-grandmother that wouldn't keep her clothes on in that post.  Don't be scared, there aren't pictures. 

One last thing, see those cute little labels I have on my jars?  Those are one of the many wonderful things I have found on Pinterest.  If you don't have a Pinterest or have never been on the site...you should go there now.  Warning: you will not leave your computer for the rest of the week.  It's that addicting.  If you would like to give up your future plans and check it out you can click the "follow me on pinterest" button to your left and be introduced to possibly one of the greatest sites on the internet.  Maybe you should get some food and water before you click on over.  Good luck soldier.

Popcorn Balls...

with leftover Halloween goodies 

 Ingredients: Makes 12-15 balls

Get the printable recipe here

• 7 cups popcorn 
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Leftover Halloween candy

1. Put popcorn in a large bowl.
2. Mix sugar, water, syrup, salt and butter in a saucepan.
3. Cook to 250° or until a few drops form a hard ball when dropped into cold water.
4. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla.
5. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring constantly.  Mix well.
6. With buttered hands, shape into balls or other fun shapes. 
7. Let them harden up on a sheet of wax paper and then dig in!

Coming up: I'm still racking my brain for the perfect "man food".  Don't worry it will come soon enough.  And now that it's November I'd say it's time to work on some classic winter comfort foods.  Mmmm.