Grandma's Caramel Popcorn Balls
Description
This generational caramel popcorn balls recipe is for sweet and salty popcorn balls, featuring creamy homemade caramel, just like Grandma used to make.
Ingredients
•
8 quarts popped popcorn
•
2 cups evaporated milk
•
2 cups white sugar
•
1 cup dark corn syrup (such as Karo®)
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1 cup margarine
•
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
1
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2
Sort through popcorn; discard unpopped kernels.
3
Combine evaporated milk, sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat; attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and bring mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until caramel reaches 246 degrees F (119 degrees C), about 5 minutes.
4
Place some popcorn into a very large bowl; pour in some caramel and stir until evenly coated. Add remaining popcorn and caramel in batches, stirring well after each addition.
5
Scoop some popcorn mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap; gather and twist the plastic wrap to gently shape mixture into a ball. Place popcorn ball on the prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining popcorn mixture. Cool popcorn balls until set, about 15 minutes.