When Rick and I first starting going out his mother was dating a lovely man named Arnie. Arnie was a very kind and good natured fellow and he taught me how to water-ski. So add patience to his list of virtues.
He also made the best popcorn balls and when he made them he made TONS of them so you never felt like you had to ration them. Nope, you just dove in and ate as many as you possibly could, knowing there were more where that came from.
Alas Rick's mom and Arnie parted ways but not before I got his popcorn ball recipe from him. It is the perfect combination of salty popcorn and chewy sweetness holding it together.
This is a fun project but you will need two large containers to mix the popcorn and syrup together. We used a huge stock pot and actually split the recipe in half and just did it twice (since I don't have two huge stock pots). Arnie used to do it in two large roasters. We found it helped to butter the mixing container first, before adding the popped popcorn. You will also need a candy thermometer.
Here is the recipe, updated for our modern sensibilities (microwave popcorn). Makes approximate 40 popcorn balls:
Arnie's Popcorn Balls
8 bags of the lightest microwave popcorn you can find, popped (approx. 40-45 cups)
4 cups sugar
1 cup corn syrup
2 cups water
2 Tbsp. butter
4 Tbsp. vanilla
Combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook until firm ball stage (245 degrees Fahrenheit). Remove from heat and add vanilla. NOTE: If you are using unsalted popcorn (doubtful if using microwave popcorn) add 3 tsp. of salt.
Pour syrup over popcorn, stirring well to coat evenly. Butter hands and form into balls. Wrap in plastic wrap.
Mmm! Thanks for sharing! What if someone wanted to go really old school and pop their own popcorn? How many cups did ole Arnie’s orginial recipe call for?
Oh, those sound wonderful. I love good popcorn balls but haven’t made any for years. Thanks to Arnie and you I may try them soon. ~Adrienne~
This looks so good! It has been years since I had a popcorn ball! I just got a cup and saucer in that same pattern, small world huh?
Oh yum!
Ohh yummy. I have a good recipe too, one of the neighbor ladies where we grew up made them for Halloween. i’m sure we badgered her into giving us the recipe. I use air pop corn for mine, although light micro-corn would have the salt. Mine also uses brown sugar.. makes me want to get a recipe going. Luckily no one else here likes it so I can eat every last one of them.
Merry Christmas!
They look so good. I haven’t made any in years. Probably the last time was when my kids were little and I won’t think about how long ago that was.
I haven’t thought of popcorn balls since I was little. We would get them from neighbors on Halloween. They were yummy and smelled so good! thanks for sharing.
Just wanted to stop by and wish you a very Merry Christmas! I enjoy your blog so much!
These sound and look so yummy.
Have a very Merry Christmas
Karen
Hi
I am trying to clean sewing room today… in between washing floors …I need to get back into sewing swing next week –taking rest- to look into blog land…came across your blog what can I say ohhhhhhhhhhhhh wow
….I will be back
thanks Jeni