Popcorn Balls

One of my favorite childhood traditions was having carmel popcorn almost every Sunday. The only thing greater than that is the side order of homemade fudge that came with it and the games we played while eating. Silly me, I haven't taught my daughter to make a whole lot of meals but she can whip out carmel popcorn in no time.

1 cube butter
1 cup corn syrup*
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
10 quarts popped popcorn** (approx)

In a saucepan over medium heat bring butter, sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Add the milk and bring to another boil. boil to softball stage (just barely softball if you like it to still be gooey after a few hours). Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over popcorn.

If forming into balls be sure not to press them tight together - this makes them hard to pull apart or eat. Our family likes to just get bowls of it or to eat it out of the mixing bowl. . . we're to impatient to make balls.

* I use 1/3 cup molasses and 2/3 cup corn syrup. I reminds me more of the popcorn we had growing up and gives it a little more carmel flavor

** We like to mix corn chex with the popcorn to give a little crunch to it