caramel popcorn balls

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 cups popped corn 

Popsicle sticks and melted chocolate (optional)

Combine first 4 ingredients in a saucepan and cook over low heat, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook to 254 degrees F or until hard ball stage. Remove from heat; stir in butter & vanilla.

Pour over popcorn and toss gently until well coated. Using hands sprayed with cooking spray, shape heaping 1/2 cup of mixture into balls. Place on parchment to cool. (Insert popsicle sticks, if desired, while balls are still warm. Once cooled drizzle with chocolate.) Makes 8 medium popcorn balls.

Recipe adapted from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook (Oxmoor House)