Oh, so Scary Gluten Free Halloween Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:
- 9 cups freshly popped and lightly salted popcorn (approximately ½ cup un-popped kernels)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup, molasses or brown rice syrup (there are many gluten free options)
- 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 4 Tbsp. vegetable shortening or butter
- 1 tsp gluten free vanilla extract

Directions:
- Place popped and lightly salted popcorn in large bowl and remove all un-popped kernels.
- Measure syrup, sugar, and butter into a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- As you continue stirring, reduce heat to medium and allow mixture to gently boil for about another minute.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the popped popcorn and gently turn the popcorn and mixture over itself with two spoons until the popcorn is as evenly coated as possible; careful to keep the popped kernels intact.
- Allow the coated popcorn mixture to cool slightly.
- Grease hands and shape popcorn mixture into balls. This recipe will make approximately 12 3-inch balls.
- Place popcorn balls on waxed paper until they cool completely.
- Decorate. Have Fun. Be scarily imaginative. Boo.

Spooky Spider Popcorn Balls

- Make the popcorn balls according to the directions above, but shape them into smaller, spooky spider body sizes.
- Chose a combination of the following gluten free goodies to decorate the popcorn balls into scary Halloween spiders:
~~ Surf Sweets Gummy Worms or Sour Worms for the legs
~~ Gluten-Free Licorice Vines for the mouth
~~ Mimi M&Ms, Raisinets, Peanuts or Raisins for the eyes

Monster Eyeball Popcorn Balls

- Make the popcorn balls according to the directions above, but shape them into smaller, monster eyeball sizes.
- Chose one or a combination of the following gluten free candies to stick in the center of the popcorn balls. Play with the various shapes and sizes to turn the popcorn balls into scary monster eyeballs:
~~ Skittles
~~ Milk Duds
~~ M&Ms (except Crispy)
~~ Lifesavers Gummies
~~ Hershey's Kisses & Hugs
~~ Reese's Peanut Butter cups
~~ SweeTarts
~~ Smarties
~~ Peanuts
~~ Raisins

Jack-O-Lantern Popcorn Balls

- Make the popcorn balls according to the directions above.
- Add a few drops of orange food coloring to the liquid mixture as it cools, just after adding the vanilla.
- Continue with the recipe as directed and your Halloween popcorn balls will be orange.
- Decorate the orange Halloween popcorn pumpkins into jack-o-lantern faces with the following gluten free candy suggestions:
~~ Brach's Candy Corn (not caramel)
~~ Mike & Ike
~~ Hot Tamales
~~ Tootsie Rolls-all
~~ Starburst Fruit Chews
~~ Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews
~~ Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans
~~ Peanuts
~~ Raisins

Note: These Halloween Popcorn Ball suggestions are variations and experimentations using common ingredients. Use your imagination and creativity - have your kids join in the fiendish fun.

Mix and match the gluten free candy choices listed above to suit your family's personal taste and whimsy. Be aware that food manufacturers change product recipes without notice. It is prudent to contact the manufacturer for assurance that the candy is gluten free before use.

Close similarities to other recipes are coincidental.

Tips: To avoid cross-contamination, clean work surfaces, cooking utensils, plates and bowls prior to use to ensure they are gluten free. Keep gluten free cooking vessels and containers for leftover foods separate from those used for wheat-containing foods.

Sources:
Celiac Central
CeliacNet

Another article about Gluten Free Living:
Living Healthy with Celiac Disease