JACK-O'-LANTERN POPCORN BALLS

JACK-O'-LANTERN POPCORN BALLS image

Yield 8 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 qt. popped popcorn
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Yellow and red food coloring
2 to 3 (1.55 oz. ea.) milk chocolate candy bars
1/4 cup vanilla frosting
8 candy spearmint

Steps:

Place popcorn in a roasting pan; keep warm in a 200 degree F oven. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and food coloring (about 1 tsp. yellow and 9 drops red) until blended. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until coated. When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-1/2-inch balls, dipping heads in cold water to prevent sticking. Cut triangles and rectangles from candy bars for pumpkin eyes, noses and mouths. In a small bowl, combine the frosting with 5 drops of yellow and 3 drops of red food coloring; attach facial features with frosting. Attach a spearmint leaf to the top of each.