How To Make Popcorn Balls

 Instructions

1. 1
   *Gather Ingredients for Delicious Popcorn Balls
   
   8 cups plain popped popcorn (don't use butter or kettle corn varieties; plain microwave popcorn is fine)
   1 cup packed brown sugar
   1/3 cup water
   1/3 cup light corn syrup
   1/4 cup butter
   1/2 teaspoon salt
   1 teaspoon good vanilla extract
   
2. 2
   *Mix and Cook Ingredients for Delicious Popcorn Balls
   
   Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl and set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking (but no stirring) until 270 degrees is reached on a candy thermometer (soft crack stage).
   
   Promptly remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over mixture over popcorn, taking care to stir until evenly coated. Quickly shape into 8 balls once mixture is cool enough to handle.
   
3. 3
   *Serve Delicious Popcorn Balls