Description
Gourmet caramel popcorn balls blend sweet nostalgia with simple ingredients, creating a classic treat. Sticky kernels hold together in perfectly portioned spheres that invite delightful snacking from friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 10 cups popped popcorn (about ½ cup unpopped kernels)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Kernel Preparation: Meticulously sift through popped kernels, eliminating unpopped or burnt pieces to create a pristine caramel base.
- Caramel Initiation: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, gradually incorporating brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir consistently until the mixture transforms into a bubbling, rich caramel.
- Caramel Development: Maintain a rolling boil for approximately 5 minutes without disrupting the surface, allowing ingredients to intensify and meld together perfectly.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat, swiftly introduce vanilla extract and baking soda, watching the mixture expand into a delightfully airy and light caramel foam.
- Coating Technique: Cascade the molten caramel over prepared popcorn, using a spatula to ensure each kernel receives an even, glistening coating. Allow mixture to cool slightly to prevent potential burns.
- Shaping Process: Lubricate hands with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully mold caramel-coated popcorn into compact spheres, approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
- Cooling and Setting: Transfer freshly formed popcorn balls onto a parchment-lined surface, allowing them to cool and solidify completely before serving.
Notes
- Kernel Inspection: Remove all unpopped or burnt kernels before coating to maintain a smooth, high-quality texture and prevent unexpected hard bits in your popcorn balls.
- Caramel Precision: Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan and medium heat to create a consistent, golden caramel without burning, ensuring even heat distribution and smooth melting.
- Temperature Control: Monitor caramel carefully during boiling; overcooking can result in hard, brittle caramel instead of a soft, chewy coating that binds popcorn perfectly.
- Hand Protection: Butter or spray hands generously before shaping to prevent sticky caramel from clinging and burning your skin during the molding process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg