Popcorn Ball Recipes for Christmas

One of the fun parts of the holiday season which (witch?) really starts with Halloween is that from the last day in October to the first day in January we are constantly trying to figure out.......what should we do now? It seems that with the coming of each year we (people) are wanting to outdo what we (people) did the year before. It's almost like the same old thing isn't good enough.....we feel we must do MORE! I have observed this with not only the passing of each year, but, also with each new generation that reaches adulthood. We (people) must have more, want more, do more even be more. So, starting this year bring tradition into your family and, then, keep that tradition every year.

One new tradition you could start is making popcorn balls. These are so easy to make. I don't use microwave popped corn I use a hot air popper. Through the years, through trial and error, I have discovered that the best and puffiest popcorn is the heavier yellow kernalled popcorn. It's also priced a little higher than the smaller kernalled almost white looking popcorn, but I feel the nominal higher price is made up by the fact the popcorn looks good when it is popped. I also recommend you spend around $20.00 for a hot air popper, or get one for a buck at a garage sale, like I did for my daughter. Her popper works and looked brand new.

I have several recipes for popcorn balls and there are those that I will share and those I won't (or) as my daughter says, "She's taking those recipes with her to her grave." I know that if you're truly interested you will also figure out a way to make your imprint on popcorn ball goodness.

REMINDER: Always thoroughly wash your hands before handling popcorn. To keep popcorn from sticking to your hands, grease them with butter, vegetable oil or even baking spray.

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls: 6 cups popped corn; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup light karo syrup; 1/2 cup peanut butter; 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Directions: Cook sugar and corn syrup until boiling, then add peanut butter and vanilla. Add to popped corn, and shape into balls. This syrup never sugars and is easy to handle.

HINT: If you have ever been to Yellowstone Park and seen the fountain paint pots bubbling away. That is what the syrup should be doing when you pour it on the popcorn. Just think of the "blup blups" at Yellowstone and that's the perfect consistency for pouring and handling.

Jello Popcorn Balls: 1 cup light corn syrup; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 pkg. jello of your choice; 9 cups popped corn. Directions: Mix sugar and syrup in a pan and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat; add jelly, stir until jello is dissolved. Pour mixture over popcorn; let stand a few minutes and shape into balls.

Another HINT: If you want Christmas popcorn balls, use red and/or green jello. Orange for halloween, etc.

Caramel Corn: 1 cup butter; 2 cups brown sugar; 6 quarts popped corn; 1/2 cup dark corn syrup; 1 tsp. salt. Directions: Mix butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in a pan. When it comes to a boil pour it over the corn and stir. You may either put it in popcorn balls or just put the cooled corn into individual size bags and share.

Popcorn Balls: 4 quarts popped corn; 2 cups light corn syrup; 1 cup white sugar; 1 tsp. salt; 2/3 cup water; 1/4 cup butter; 1 tsp. vanilla. Directions: Boil corn syrup, sugar, salt, water, butter and vanilla together in a pan. Cook to a soft blup blup. Pour over popped corn and enjoy.

These are the recipes I'm willing to part with but there are a few others I won't. Every good cook has to have a trick or two up her sleeve.