October 28, 2010

Fall Favorite

Our family has a tradition of making Chocolate Popcorn Balls. They are a combination of freshly popped popcorn (over the stove, not in the microwave!) and ooey, gooey tootsie roll-like confection formed into a sticky crunchy chocolatey ball of deliciousness. Yum!

Here they are in all of their glory!

chocolate popcorn balls 004

To make these delightful treats you need the following:

1 cup light corn syrup

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup popcorn kernels, popped (any unpopped kernels should be separated and discarded)

extra butter, for greasing your hands (Pam works too, but butter tastes so much better!)

waxed paper, or parchment paper

Divide the popcorn into a couple of large bowls, so that you have enough room for mixing. In a medium suacepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, cocoa and butter. Bring to a boil and cook until they reach soft ball stage. (Test by dropping a bit of the chocolate in a cold glass of water. If the texture is malleable, its ready to go.)

Drizzle over the popcorn and mix. You must move carefully and quickly as the chocolate dries quickly. Grease your hands and form popcorn into balls. Let cool on waxed paper.

 

Do you have a favorite fall tradition in your family?

4 comments:

Matthew Gamblin said...

Yes I do.

Popcorn balls! :)

You rock, my lovely Goody Goddess.

Dianne said...

My Mom always made the gooey caramel ones for all the trick or treaters. That was back in the day when folks didn't put needles or such in Halloween goodies.

Maybe we should merge them. Half gooey caramel, half yummy chocolate!

Lauri said...

Halloween sugar cookies, Natalie and Rebecca have really done a great job frosting them, you can see them on my blog!

Bethany said...

Oh my goodness. Every time I visit this blog I get very hungry. You didn't disappoint... I have got to go find something sweet! Those popcorn balls look to die for!