Molasses Popcorn Balls

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup (225 grams) molasses
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) sugar
• ½ cup (120 grams) water
• 1 tsp vinegar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 to 2 ½ quarts unsalted popcorn

Directions

1. Put your popcorn in a large heat-proof bowl.
2. Combine molasses, sugar, water, vinegar, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Put it over low heat and stir until it begins to boil.
3. When boiling, stop stirring, and heat until the mixture reaches 270F (hard ball stage). When it’s at 270F, take the mixture off the heat and add the butter. Stir the butter until the mixture is just combined.
4. Quickly drizzle the mixture over the popcorn and stir until every kernel is coated. Let it cool until you can handle it without getting burned.
5. When cooled down, grease your hands and form 2 ½ inch balls (don’t use too much pressure when forming these).
6. Let the balls dry out on a plate without touching each other.