Pumpkin Spice Popcorn Balls
Author: Monica
Recipe type: Holiday
Cuisine: Sweet Treats
Serves: 12
- 8 cups any brand Microwave Popcorn (butter flavored if you like), popped
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup butter plus 1 teaspoon for your hands!
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- OR
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- A pinch to ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pop popcorn
- Place popcorn in a large bowl and remove any unpopped kernels. (don't want to break a tooth!)
- Set popcorn in a preheated 200 degree F oven to keep warm. Turn oven off.
- Cover a baking pan with aluminum foil and set aside.
- Combine dry spices and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
- Combine the corn syrup, sugar, salt, water and butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat.
- Stir until the syrup boils. Then let syrup boil undisturbed until the candy thermometer reaches 270 degrees F.
- Remove pan from heat and add spice/vanilla mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon just enough to mix.
- Have a spatula handy at this point to get all of the syrup from the pan.
- Pour the syrup over the popcorn and stir with the wooden spoon to coat.
- Let cool just long enough to handle.
- Coat your hands with the butter. Quickly shape popcorn into balls and place on the foil lined baking sheet to cool.
- Wrap individual popcorn balls tightly in plastic wrap. Decorate with a ribbon if desired.
Recipe by Cookin' It Real at https://www.cookinitreal.com/2015/09/24/pumpkin-spice-popcorn-balls/
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