Recipe: Snowball Popcorn Balls

While some people are not too keen on snow (especially as January drags on), pretty much everybody is keen on popcorn balls! Our favorite fist-sized treat from childhood is the perfect dish to make on a cold, snowy January day. And this recipe is dressed up with shredded coconut to give it a snowy look that tastes like heaven. Try them out with a mug of something warm. Snowball Popcorn Balls via Season of Sweets 7 quarts popcorn, popped and cooled* 1 cup sugar 1 cup light corn syrup ¼ cup water ¼ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 package shredded coconut Directions Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Prepare another baking sheet with an even layer of shredded coconut. Place popcorn in an oversized bowl. In a saucepan, stir sugar, corn syrup, water and salt together, then cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 235 degrees or "soft ball" stage. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla until melted and completely combined. Pour the syrup evenly over the popcorn, then stir with a wooden spoon until you have an even coating. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes, then form popcorn into baseball-sized balls and roll in the coconut for an even coating, then place to cool completely on the parchment-lined sheet. Serve immediately or wrap each snowball in plastic wrap for best results. *Two tablespoons of unpopped popcorn equals about 1 quart popped.