Popcorn Popping!

“I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!” How often do moms hear those words during the summer? Here’s a way to get rid of boredom and make a fun, fabulous and EASY treat that all the kids can participate in. (It’s so simple and delicious, and you’ll love it, too!) Here’s my favorite recipe for chewy, ooey, gooey, soft and yummy popcorn balls. I received this recipe from my children more than 20 years ago after they attended a group outing. We’ve loved these popcorn balls ever since. They only take minutes to make and for sure they will make YOU the coolest mom in the neighborhood!

Yummy Popcorn Balls
½ cup butter
2 ½ cups brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large bowl or 6.5 oz. bag of popped popcorn
Candy mix-ins (optional)

Stir first three ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat on the stove and stir in the milk. Stir mixture while simmering to form soft ball state. (This means you need to drop a few drops of caramel mixture in a cup of cold water. If it forms a soft ball in the water it’s ready.) Turn off stove and add vanilla. Pour over popcorn, stir in mix-ins and form into balls.

I love taking Belle and Noah to the Candy section of the Grocery store so they can pick their sweet mix-ins. You can add M&M’s, Reese’s pieces, trail mix, fruit trail mix, yogurt raisins, gummy bears, cinnamon bears, licorice or anything else that tickles your fancy. Happy popping!