Mary martin's popcorn balls

36 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
5quartsPopped popcorn, warm
2cupsSugar
½cupLight corn syrup
cupWater
1teaspoonVinegar
½teaspoonSalt
1teaspoonVanilla

Directions

Keep corn hot & crisp in slow oven (300øF). Boil sugar, syrup, water and salt until 254ø- 260øF. Add vanilla and vinegar and boil to 264øF. Food coloring can be added at this point. Slowly pour over corn, stirring well so every kernel is coated. Press into balls and let cool until hard. Wrap in plastic wrap.

Mary was a spinster neighbor when I was a child who had to be the youngest woman I have ever know and the best substitute grandmother a child could have ever wished for. She knew that her mother had been making this recipe as far back as 1880.