• hard candy mix
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon concentrated flavor or oil
• food color
• nuts/candies, approximately 1/2 pound (optional)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 7 cups popped popcorn ( 1 bag microwave popcorn)
• candy thermometer
• parchment paper

Spray a large bowl with a cooking spray. Sift through popcorn to remove any hard kernels as popcorn is transferred to the large bowl. In a small heavy saucepan, stir 1/3 cup of water with hard candy mix, or mix up recipe on page 48. Cook to 250º and add color. Cook to 300º, remove from heat, and add flavor and butter. Pour over popcorn and stir with a heat-resistant spoon or spatula that has been sprayed with a cooking spray. Spread out on parchment paper or silicone mat. Break apart when set.

POPCORN BALLS Follow the recipe above for candy-coated popcorn. After hard candy has been poured over popcorn and stirred with a spoon, quickly form into balls with buttered hands.

Recipe and image taken with permission from Autumn Carpenter's Book, All About Candy Making. All rights reserved.