POPCORN BALLS WITH CARAMEL-The Southern Lady Cooks

Popcorn balls are so easy to make and everyone loves them. They are wonderful for Halloween or anytime. These caramel popcorn balls are our favorites. I make them every year in the fall or autumn and all winter, too. Your grandchildren and children will love helping you make these treats. Don’t want to make it into balls, just mix well and it makes great caramel popcorn.

Caramel popcorn balls are fun to make anytime!

5 quarts popcorn, popped ( I use two bags of Pop Weaver microwave popcorn with extra butter or you can pop your own)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses (I use Grandma’s All Natural Molasses or you can use light or dark corn syrup)

1/4 cup butter or 4 tablespoons

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pop the corn and spread in a large oven safe baking pan. I used a 9 x 13 cake pan. Keep warm in a 300 degree oven. Combine sugar, molasses or corn syrup, butter and salt in a saucepan on top of the stove. Melt this on low and then add the milk. Bring to a boil and turn down to simmer for about 2 minutes or until reaches the soft ball stage or 235 degrees on thermometer stirring constantly to prevent burning. I just drop a little in a cup of ice water until it makes a soft ball when you roll it between your fingers. Remove from stove, add vanilla extract and pour over warm popcorn. Stir with a spoon to make sure it is mixed well with the popped corn. Butter your hands and make into balls. I make mine about the size of a baseball. Makes 15 to 20 popcorn balls. Enjoy!