Best Ever Popcorn Balls

   I needed a fun treat my my son's Christmas party, but I wanted something different and healthy. I am not usually a fan of popcorn balls, as they are hard to eat. So I began searching for a recipe for a soft and chewy popcorn ball. This recipe was terrific! The kids loved it!

Best Ever Popcorn Balls
Ingredients:
   5 quarts popped popcorn
   ¾ cup light corn syrup
   ¼ cup butter
   2 teaspoons cold water
   2⅝ cups confectioner’s sugar
   1 cup marshmallows
   1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
   Food coloring (optional)
   Butter for greasing hands and measuring cup

Pop the popcorn and place 5 quarts of popped popcorn in a large plastic bowl.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, butter, cold water, confectioners' sugar, and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. (Be sure you do not overheat!)
If desired, add food coloring and vanilla and stir until mixed well.
Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, coating each kernel.
Grease hands with butter and use a buttered 1 cup measuring cup to form the balls. You will have to re-butter the measuring cup and hands each time they began to get sticky. Place balls on wax paper until cooled. Wrap with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Makes 12 - 15 balls.

Notes:

• I used lightly buttered microwave popcorn. It took almost 3 bags of popcorn, but be sure to measure your popcorn as it pops differently each time.
  
• Use a smaller measuring cup if you want smaller balls.