Popcorn Balls Recipe Chowhound

With Halloween just around the corner and my recent exploration into the history of popcorn, I was tempted to make a vintage popcorn treat. Popcorn balls were a fixture at Halloween parties during the 1950s, a time when treat-or-treaters regularly enjoyed homemade treats rather than packaged store-bought candies. The first recipe for popcorn balls was published in 1861 in E.F. Haskell’s Housekeeper’s Encyclopedia, and by the turn of the century many cookbooks included popcorn ball recipes.

This recipe comes from an absolutely adorable 1940s vintage cookbook called the Children’s Picture Cook Book by Margaret Gossett and Elizabeth Dauber. It’s written for kids in the kitchen, with every recipe and cooking step illustrated. I couldn’t resist sharing the step-by-step pictures for this recipe. They’re too cute!

These popcorn balls were really easy to make (not surprising, since the recipe comes from a children’s cookbook). I’ve given you the old-fashioned stovetop method for popping the corn, but you can feel free to use an air popper or another popping device if you prefer. Make sure you have a candy thermometer on hand, the syrup temperature is very important here. Otherwise it’s a really straightforward recipe. It’s also a fun one, especially at this time of year. The smell totally takes me back to my childhood. Enjoy!

Basic Popcorn Balls

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You will also need: large pot with a lid, very large mixing bowl, heavy saucepot, oven mitt, candy thermometer, rubber spatula, non-stick cooking spray, wax paper or parchment

Note : we have reduced the amount of water from the original recipe printed in the vintage book to just 1/2 cup. This will cut the amount of time needed for the temperature to rise significantly, and should not effect the finished result.

Rhonda's Popcorn Balls

Nutritional information should be considered an estimate only; please consult a registered dietician, nutritionist, or your physician for specific health-related questions. Read more here. Please note that the recipe above is published using a recipe card plugin, with preexisting software which can auto-calculate metric measurements, as well as change the number of servings. Metric conversions and changes to the number of servings (resulting in different ingredient amounts) will only appear in the ingredient list, and are not changed within the step-by-step directions of the recipe.Popcorn balls bring with them their own special bit of nostalgia. This recipe makes a simple sticky peanut butter mixture that holds together gobs of popcorn and peanuts.

The results are everything you would want them to be. Wrap them in plastic wrap to pass out to family and friends or eat them all while they are warm and fresh, I won’t judge!

Popcorn balls tend to ne associated with fall and Halloween, but I have had these peanut butter popcorn balls on my mind and I just couldn’t wait that long to make them. So I indulged myself and made a batch and I think you should too.

Grandpa's Popcorn Balls Recipe

Luckily they are super simple to make. Just bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil then remove it from the heat.

The only thing to watch out for is not to boil it for too long. As soon as the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbly, turn off the burner.

Toss your popcorn and peanuts in the goodness and stir until it is coated. Then allow the mixture to cool until you can handle it without burning yourself.

The Best Caramel Popcorn Recipe (without Corn Syrup)

The key is making sure it is still warm and pliable but not so hot that it hurts. Then work relatively quickly so you can get the whole bunch made while the mixture is in the temperature sweet spot.

Grease your hands with shortening, butter or coconut oil and start forming balls. You can make them any size, but we like them slightly smaller than a baseball.

Allow them to cool completely then wrap them tightly until you are ready to enjoy them. The finished product should be a little bit of everything with the sweet and salty flavors mixed with chew and crunch.

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls Recipe

Just replace the corn syrup with honey or maple syrup. Either would bring another wonderful layer of flavor that will complement the peanut butter nicely.

Just be sure to pick out any unpopped kerns. Unknowingly biting down on a hard popcorn kernel will quickly ruin the experience.

I like to put the popcorn in a large bowl and give it a couple of shakes to help the kernels make their way to the bottom. Then I transfer the popcorn a couple of handfuls at a time until you reach the bottom

Popcorn Balls Recipe

If you keep an eye out you will have all of the kernels picked out in no time. It will have been a couple of minutes well spent.

Marshmallow popcorn balls are super simple to make and beyond tasty. They are also fabulous dipped in chocolate or topped with a smattering of sprinkles to make them even more festive.

Caramel apple popcorn balls are perfect for fall. They have concentrated apple juice and loads of caramel to hold together all the popcorn goodness. They are really tasty!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Healthy Popcorn Balls

Or for something more spooky, try Halloween popcorn balls complete with gummy worms crawling out of them. They are sure to be a hit at your spooky soiree.

The sweet, buttery, crunchy caramel corn you love can be done in the microwave to make it faster and easier. It’s perfect for a snack and fun for a party!

Strawberries and cream popcorn is especially fun in spring, but is great year round. It incorporates yummy tart berries and sweet creamy white chocolate for a great treat.

Cane Syrup Popcorn Balls Recipe

Or whip up some puppy chow popcorn for that chocolate and peanut butter combo we all love. It is munchable in the best kind of way!

Serving: 1 popcorn ball Calories: 223 kcal Carbohydrates: 18 g Protein: 7 g Fat: 15 g Saturated Fat: 3 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 10 g Sodium: 93 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 12 g

Just great with the added peanuts! I give 5 out of 5 points. Stir in milk chocolate chips and get 8.5 out of 10. In order to s ore higher the have to look better in a swimsuit and do better on the dismount.😃

Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn Balls

Dip hands in water will also work. I would like to consider white chocolate, too! Ooo! I wish I could still eat these. Alas time has been cruel to my teeth. I love popcorn balls. I'm going to make them for the children that have not had them before! Happy memories of Halloween! They need these happy tastes of Halloween, also!!! Yummy goodies down thru the generations. I feel like it should become a memory for our little ones, as it was for my generation. I may not be able to eat as many of them, nowadays, but I feel that I should bring this joy to new generations. I miss my Granny! She would make candy all day on Halloween. All the kids in my hometown; who knew her, always made the trip to her home on Halloween. Her treats were very very special, and I want to bring her recipes back to share her love of these treats! I hope I can make these treats like she did!! Happy Halloween!

❤️ White chocolate would be delicious with the peanut butter. Your granny sounds amazing! There is something extra special about nostalgic recipes.

You always know how to get me craving something new! Yours look so good, I will just have to make some to try!

Weightwatchers Popcorn Balls Recipe • Ww Recipes