Grammy Carls Popcorn Balls Recipes

GRANDPA'S POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter and water. Stir and heat to hard-crack stage or 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Remove from heat, add vanilla or vinegar; mix well.
• Pour slowly over popped popcorn while stirring. Wait 5 minutes and shape into 3 inch round balls.

GRANDMA'S POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• In large pot mix well the sugar, Kayro syrup, vinegar and bring to boil. Continue until mixture reaches the Hard Crack Stage on candy thermometer.
• Remove from heat and quickly stir in popped popcorn. Butter your hands and scoop enough coated mixture to form baseball sized balls.
• You have to work quickly as the coating will harden very fast. When cooled, wrap in wax paper, twisting to close.
• Preparation and cooking time does not include time to pop popcorn.
• Cooking time varies with weather conditions.

GRANDMA'S CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup.
• Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Stir in condensed milk.
• Simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a soft ball in cold water (takes just a few minutes). It will be between 234-238 degrees farenheit on a candy thermometer.
• Stir in vanilla and remove from heat.
• Pour over the popped popcorn and stir well.
• Butter your hands lightly, and shape the popcorn into balls about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
• Makes about 15 balls.

GRAMMY CARL'S POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper; set aside. Place the popcorn in a large bowl; set aside.
• In a heavy medium pot, stir to combine the molasses, sugar, butter and vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the mixture reaches 260 degrees F (hard ball stage) on a candy thermometer, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then pour over the popcorn; fold and mix to coat using a rubber spatula. Let the popcorn cool slightly.
• Coat your hands well with butter and form the popcorn mixture into 1/2-cup balls, squeezing to keep the popcorn together. Place on the prepared baking sheet and let sit until completely cooled and hardened, about 20 minutes.

GRAMMY CARL'S RULE FOR MOLASSES COOKIES WITH BOILED MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• For the molasses cookies: Put the brown sugar, butter and vegetable shortening in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the flour, molasses, eggs, cinnamon, ginger and baking soda and beat until combined.
• Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough onto the baking sheets. Make sure there is ample space between each dough ball as the cookies will spread.
• Bake until puffed on top, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet on a rack for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely before frosting.
• For the boiled frosting: Combine the granulated sugar, 3/4 cup water, cream of tartar and a pinch of salt in a medium heavy-bottomed pot, bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until a candy thermometer registers 245 degrees, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and fold in the marshmallows until melted.
• Put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on medium-high speed into stiff peaks. Turn the mixer to low and slowly pour the hot sugar mixture into the egg whites. Beat on medium speed until cool and fluffy, then fold in the vanilla extract.
• Using a butter knife, frost the bottoms of half the cookies, top them with the remaining cookies, and serve.

GRANDMA'S CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Sort through popcorn, discarding unpopped kernels.
• Combine evaporated milk, sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil; stir constantly until caramel reaches 246 degrees F (119 degrees C) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Pour some popcorn into a very large bowl. Pour in some of the caramel; stir until evenly coated. Add remaining popcorn and caramel in batches, stirring well after each addition.
• Scoop some of the popcorn mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Gather and twist the plastic wrap to gently shape into a ball. Place popcorn ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; repeat with remaining mixture. Let cool until set, about 15 minutes.