Popcorn Balls - Recipe #70 of 98

1 c Sugar
1/3 c Water
1/2 ts Salt
1 ts Vanilla
1/2 c Light or dark corn syrup
1/4 c Butter/margarine
2 qt Popped Popcorn (8 c Popped, 1/2 c Kernels)

Keep popcorn warm in 200 degrees F 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 270 degree F 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.