JACK-O'-LANTERN POPCORN BALLS

Jack-o'-Lantern Popcorn Balls image

Kids will have a ball with this Halloween favorite from trick-or-treats past. The cute candy faces add whimsy to the crispy, crunchy snack. -Melissa Hayes, Hundred, West Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Snacks

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 quarts popped popcorn
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yellow and red food coloring
2 to 3 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)
1/4 cup vanilla frosting
8 candy spearmint leaves

Steps:

Place popcorn in a roasting pan; keep warm in a 200° 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° (hard-ball stage)., Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and food coloring (about 1 teaspoon 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-in. balls, dipping hands 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 477 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 422mg sodium, Carbohydrate 87g carbohydrate (66g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein.