Grandpa's Popcorn Balls

4.6
(187)

My Great Grandpa Apell made these old-fashioned crunchy popcorn balls for all his grandkids at Christmastime. He had a huge farm in Illinois with prize-winning corn. He lived to be 106 and claimed workin' the farm and eatin' corn was the secret!

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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
10
Yield:
10 (3-inch) popcorn balls
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 servings

  • 2 cups white sugar

  • 1 cup light corn syrup

  • ½ cup butter

  • ¼ cup water

  • salt to taste

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional)

  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar (Optional)

  • 5 quarts popped popcorn

Directions

  1. Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and heat to hard-crack stage or 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Remove from heat, add vanilla or vinegar; mix well.

  2. Pour slowly over popped popcorn while stirring. Wait 5 minutes and shape into 3-inch round balls.

241 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

458 Calories
19g Fat
75g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 458
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 317mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 75g 27%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 49g
Protein 2g 3%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 44mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.