WARNING: This doesn't make popcorn balls... it makes CARAMEL CORN. It's yummy but I tried to shape it into balls and it just didn't work. It's very crunchy and not gooey/sticky like I wanted. If you like caramel corn try this recipe but if you're wanting popcorn balls look elsewhere.
For those like me without a candy thermometer-boil the 'sauce' at bubbling & stir for several minutes until a drop in a cup of cold water makes a gooey ball then it's ready to drizzle on the popcorn and they will hold together when packed by hand (after cooling a bit). I used just 1 cup corn but 1 1/2 c sugar and 1 1/2 c molasses and got a yummy batch of 22 (24 if I hadn't eaten some on the way to the wax paper!).
They turned out perfect!! Thanks for your receipe!!
Great recipe for the holidays. Next time I may make it with unsalted microwave popcorn to shorten the process. I added salted peanuts which gave them a great flavor! The kids loved them!
Was looking for recipe for carmel corn to use up the left over popped corn - used this recipe because I don't use corn syrup at all - had about 6 cups leftover popped corn (organic already seasoned with coconut oil/butter/salt mixture) - Mixed 1/2 TBLS butter with 1/2 cup of raw organic cane sugar and 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses no salt. Brought to boil and since I don't have candy thermometer dropped drops of mixture into cold water until hard pliable (but not sticky!) ball formed - poured over corn mixed and layed out on wax paper to dry - YUMMY!
They tasted very good but next time I'll use half the popcorn or double the syrup that goes on it. The problem may have been that I used a hot air popper instead of popping it on the stove. I ended up with more popcorn than syrup to hold it all together.
This is very similar to the recipe my family has handed down for generations. A Christmas tradition!
This was okay. I halved the recipe (because I only had 1 C of molasses). Like other reviewers stated there wasn't enough sauce for all of the popcorn. It only covered about half of it. The flavor was pretty good... not exciting though. Oh and there was no way I could turn the bowl of popcorn into balls... there just wasn't enough sauce to make them stick together.
its a good fun one to do with the kids.... beware its STICKY.... we had a good time.. a great homemade snack!
