Recipe Courtesy of Paula DeenServings: 12-14 servings
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Difficulty: Easy
2 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 cup popped corn
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, syrup, vinegar, and salt. Cook over high heat until mixture reaches 255 degrees F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer. Stir in vanilla. Pour over popped corn, tossing gently to coat. When mixture is cool enough to handle, press popcorn into 3-inch balls with lightly greased hands. Cool completely on wax paper.
Makes 14 popcorn balls
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My 7 year old daughter has been a fan for years! She was invited to a girls - only tea party and she has chosen to make these delicious looking popcorn balls. Of course, we will be doubling the recipe to keep some at home. Thank you, dearest Paula, for giving us a world of happiness in the kitchen! God bless you and your family! Christine and Mackenzie C.
By Christine Crowley on April 08, 2013
Love love watch u. Old or new shows. I still as u did now.pull up recipes. Ty for being u.
keep going girlfriend. Healty as well as happy path.u r the best paula. U raise them biys. An u r now top of food show. Again wtg.
my name cheryl.mulcahy. I could only wish I had u strenght an knowledge. But most important u smile. I a waitress they tell me smile more. If I had u teeth an smile I would. One day god will grace me w smile and fix teeth to do so.keep goung. Ty for all
By cheryl mulcahy on January 17, 2013
THESE ARE GREAT AND EASY TO MAKE. I JUST MADE SOME FOR MY FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY THIS WEEKEND.
By TIM on November 29, 2012
I'm not really sure what went wrong, but are the popcorn balls supposed to be like popcorn soup?!?!?!? I may be wrong, but 18 cups popped corn is dry measured already popped popcorn, right? As I poured it over the popped corn, it all shrunk in size and there was soup in the bowl with little shrunken pieces of popcorn in the bottom of the bowl. Having a halloween party for my kids and the neighborhood kids on Sunday and I don't have a lot of time in my life. Help, please?
By Dynes on October 27, 2011
Hey Paula love your show been watching you for years hope one day I will get to meet you. I have five grandchildren I love to fix different treats for them, and I fine yours are tasty and fun to make.Thanks and best wishes to you.Patricia Lee
By Patricia Lee on September 03, 2011
Our daughter is getting married this fall, Oct. 2011. We are looking for thing's that are fun~ different to have at her reception. Because it is a small guest list with nearly 30 children attending, I thought these would fit in wonderful with the pumpkin/sunflower center pieces & Carmel apples treats. I enjoy your post's your show and I hope someday to be able to join you at The Lady & son's In GA. & take a class. Thank You, Best wishes, Debi Beaver
By Debi Beaver on May 26, 2011
I am going to try the popcorn balls.
By Tammy on January 21, 2011
LOVE popcorn balls/caramel corn! However, I need recipes that diabetics can eat .... would Splenda work instead of sugar??? ![]()
By Crystal Newton on January 19, 2011
I used 3 bags of microwave popcorn which equate to more than 24 cups of popped corn and yielded 28 popcorn balls. The sugar mixture to popcorn ratio was perfect! They turned out FABULOUS! I love popcorn balls and was so surprised at how easy it was to make. I am hooked and will make these over and over. I can't wait for my kids to get home from school to try them! ![]()
By Eva on January 19, 2011
Paula, My grandmother Rachel Rimmer (Nannie) was the foundation of the Howells Mill community when it came to cooking. She was always preparing the most wonderful delights, and sending to church socials, dinners and to the community in every way. Every year on Halloween she would make the most wonderful popcorn balls by the hundreds, and every child from far and wide would make a B-line to her home to get their popcorn ball, and sometimes two. Thank you for sharing your recipe Paula. I love it!!! Karen R. Morrison Milton, West Virginia
By Karen R. Morrison on January 19, 2011
I need to find a recipe I had years ago. Carmal corn an you put it in the oven whrn your done 4 awhile?
By Bonne Jean Scarrella Nelson on January 19, 2011
GRANDMAS RECIPE.. 8C. POPCORN 1/2C. SUGAR 1C. MOLASSES 1TBLSP. BUTTER 2TBLSP VINEGAR 1/2 TSP. SODA 1/2C. WATER MIX: WATER,MOLASSES,SUGAR,VINEGAR,AND BUTTER IN SAUCE PAN COOK: WITHOUT STIRRING UNTIL A CHECK BALL FORMS ADD: SODA AND STIR WELL WHILE MIXTURE IS STILL FOAMING POUR OVER CORN IN DEEP BOWL STIR WELL BUTTER HANDS AND MAKE BALLS. YOU CAN ADD FOOD COLORING TO MIXTURE FOR HOLIDAYS OR FESTIVE COLORED BALLS. TIE RIBBON AROUND AND HANG FROM CHRISTMAS TREE..
By ANNETTE SCHMIDT on January 19, 2011
MY GRANDMA USED TO MAKE THESE WITH US WHEN WE WERE KIDS. WE WOULD USE FOOD COLORING AND MAKE THEM GREEN & RED FOR CHRISTMAS. HANG THEM ON THE TREE AND CHRISTMAS EVE WE GOT TO GET OURS OFF THE TREE AND TAKE THEM HOME TO EAT OR PUT ON OUR OWN TREE. MISS HER GOOD OLD HOME COOKING. ANNETTE
By annette on January 19, 2011
Was very sticky and needs more popcorn than stated in the recipe.
By Master Chef on October 24, 2010
By Anonymous on April 28, 2010
We used this recipe for our church Christmas party and had numerous requests for a copy. Everyone who tries it loves it!
By Anonymous on December 25, 2009
By Anonymous on December 12, 2009
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Join Paula, Bobby and Jamie for a book signing at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House in Savannah from 10 am to 12 pm. Trolley service available in Johnson Square from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Only 350 tickets will be given out starting 1 hour before the book signing. No cameras permitted; a professional photographer will be on site to take your photo.
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