Sweet Popcorn Balls

Last Friday night I made these popcorn balls to try to add some variety to our movie night routine. Christopher thought they were OK, I thought they were awesome and I hear that my neighbors kids liked them too. They were easy to make and all ingredients that are normal to have on hand, so I thought it was worth writing up the recipe in case others may like to give it a try! Enjoy!

Sweet Popcorn Balls

10 cups of popped popcorn (this is about two microwave bags)
2 T Butter
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
optional - peanut butter, m&m's, raisins, cranberries, etc...

Pop the popcorn, set aside. Try to get out all of the unpopped kernels- it is MUCH easier now than later!

Melt the butter, sugar and honey over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to bubble.

Place the 10 cups of popcorn in a large bowl. Pour the butter mixture over the popcorn and add the salt. Mix gently with a spoon.

Grease hands (I used cooking spray) and you and your preschooler can shape the popcorn into balls the size of golf balls. If you do golf-ball sized, then this recipe yields 30 balls. I did something more like softballs, and I think I got 10 out of a half batch, so it makes a lot. Place on a sheet of wax paper to harden up.

You can also add raisins or dried cranberries, or nuts, or even peanut butter I bet to the mix. I am thinking M&M's would be my favorite addition.

It says on the original recipe that you can shape them into bars or "thin logs" but I was unsuccessful at this. You kind of have to use a bit of pressure to make the things stay together. You will see what I mean if you make these.

The original recipe also has some creative ideas: Make a popcorn ghost with raisin eyes for Halloween, a popcorn wreath with dried cherries or cranberries, popcorn bat and baseball for birthday party....

Enjoy!