Popcorn Balls
Contributed by Stephanie
Servings: 6

  2 qt Popped popcorn
  1 c  Sugar
1/2 c  Light or dark corn syrup
1/3 c  Water
1/4 c  Butter/margarine
1/2 ts Salt
  1 ts Vanilla

Keep popcorn warm in 200º oven while preparing coating.  In 2-quart
saucepan stir together sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt.  Cook
over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil.
Continue cooking without stirring until temperature reaches 270º on a candy
thermometer or until a small amount dropped into very cold water separates
into threads which are hard but not brittle.  Remove from heat. Add
vanilla; stir just enough to mix through hot syrup.  Slowly pour over
popcorn, stirring to coat every kernel.  Cool just enough to handle. With
greased hands, shape into balls.