Popcorn Balls A Special Treat For Halloween Recipes

Steps:

• Mix sauce ingredients [EXCEPT THE VANILLA!] in a saucepan.
• Cook to 250 degrees on a candy thermometer for popcorn balls [or until a few drops form a hard ball when dropped into cold water].
• This can be cooked to a lower temp if you are just going to drizzle this over popcorn in a pan for smaller bite-sized pieces - and don't want to break a tooth on the hard-ball caramel.
• Remove from heat.
• NOW stir in 1 tsp vanilla.
• Pour in a thin stream over the popped corn, stirring constantly to mix well.
• Shape into balls, if desired.

Steps:

• Spray the inside of a large mixing bowl with vegetable cooking spray, and lightly spray a baking sheet. Set aside.
• In a 3 quart or larger, heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil and popcorn over medium-high heat. Cover the pan and shake gently. Cook until all the kernels have popped, about 3 minutes. Place the popcorn in the prepared bowl.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over low heat. Add the vanilla extract and marshmallows. Stir constantly until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Using a spatula, sprayed with cooking spray, stir until the popcorn is coated. Spread the mixture over the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with the chocolate bar pieces, cookies, almonds and chocolate candies. Using a spatula, gently press the toppings into the popcorn. Allow the mixture to dry for 1 hour.
• Break into 2-inch pieces and store airtight in a plastic container.
• Serving Suggestion: Place in small plastic bags and seal with colored ribbon.

Steps:

• Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Place popped corn in oven to keep warm. Repeat until all corn has been popped. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan with a candy thermometer inserted, combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Stir well and bring to boiling over medium heat. Stir in condensed milk; simmer, stirring constantly, until thermometer reads 238 degrees F (114 degrees C). Stir in vanilla.
• Pour caramel over popped corn and stir to coat. Butter hands lightly; shape popcorn into balls about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.

Steps:

• Grease a muffin pan and set aside. Place popcorn, candy corn and peanuts into a large bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in marshmallows, red food coloring and yellow food coloring, adjusting color if needed to get a nice shade of orange. When the marshmallows are completely melted, pour over the popcorn and stir to evenly distribute the candy, nuts and marshmallow.
• Use a greased spoon to fill the muffin cups. Insert a piece of licorice to act as the stem, and mold the popcorn around it. Let stand until firm, 10 to 15 minutes, and then pull the pumpkins out by their stems and admire your pumpkin patch!