Grandpa's Popcorn Balls Recipe
Add a photo
1 of 5 Photos

Grandpa's Popcorn Balls

By: 3KIDS5 
"Great, Great Grandpa Apell had a huge farm in Illinois with prize-winning corn. He made Popcorn Balls for all the Grandkids at Christmastime. He lived to be 106 and claimed workin' the farm and eatin' corn was the secret! This recipe is delicious!"

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.4 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (124)

6,700 Saves

Prep Time:
10 Min
Cook Time:
15 Min
Ready In:
25 Min

Servings  (Help)

Calculate

 

Original Recipe Yield 10 - 3 inch round balls
 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup water
  • salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar (optional)
  • 5 quarts popped popcorn

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. Pour slowly over popped popcorn while stirring. Wait 5 minutes and shape into 3 inch round balls.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 458 | Total Fat: 18.7g | Cholesterol: 24mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

ADVERTISEMENT
reviews custom versions menus people who saved this
 

 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2004 by JADE_RAIN   view full review
oh boy, these are really good. It is really important to reach hard crack stage with these...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 7, 2003 by 3KIDS5   view full review
If you dont cook to the hard-crack stage, you will end up with sticky "caramel" on the...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 7, 2007 by Cokesmom   view full review
These popcorn balls taste just like a gourmet popcorn shop from back home. They really taste...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 7, 2003 by GRANDMA RUTH   view full review
Kids of ALL AGES love these popcorn balls. Don't be thrown by the 1/2 cup of popcorn, that is...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 14, 2003 by TWINS596   view full review
These are absolutely the best! Just make sure you reach "hard crack" stage when doing the...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 13, 2006 by Oh-Just-Try-It   view full review
I think your grandpa and my 92 year old grandma knew each other. She makes these every...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 12, 2003 by WASA   view full review
Thank you for sharing your Grandfather`s recipe. I made two batches this evening and they...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 30, 2005 by kabdo1221   view full review
We loved this recipe. I made a few batches for my preschooler to take to his Halloween party....
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2004 by GET COOKIN   view full review
What a perfect popcorn ball. Be patient with the syrup, candy making can be tedious but so...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.4 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 14, 2003 by TALACHEE   view full review
Such a WONDERFUL recipe!!! This is the first time that I've been able to make popcorn ball...

profile image
By:  Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
What’s Changed: 
profile image
By:  Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
What’s Changed: 
 Sample
: 
  • Meals
  • Recipes
  • Tags Menu Tags
profile image
  Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  | ,
Saved on
Recipe BoxRecipe Box | ProfileProfile | ReviewsReviews
 
Recipe Box
Menus
Shopping Lists

recipe box See something worth saving?
Register now to save all your favorites in your Recipe Box.

Sign up for FREE Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Videos

Play Video Play Video
Holiday Rum Balls

Make this classic holiday treat using leftover brownies!

Play Video Play Video
Caramel Chocolate Coins

See how to make caramel and dark chocolate candies.

More How-To and Recipe Videos »

Related Menus

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
Try Menu Planner | View Sample Menus »

Recently Viewed Recipes

Quick Links: Recipe Box | Shopping List | More »

Top Searches

 
Select Your Version:  Argentina  |  Australia & New Zealand  |  Brazil  |  Canada  |  China  |  France  |  Germany  |  India  |  Japan  |  Korea  |  Mexico  |  Netherlands  |  Poland

Quebec  |  Russia  |  SE Asia  |  United Kingdom & Ireland  |  United States