Aunt Wilma Wilson’s Popcorn Balls

Jul 2, 2026 | Tonya's Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup syrup or molasses
  • 1/4 cup oleo (butter or margarine)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (added to syrup)
  • 5 quarts popped popcorn

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, mix sugar, syrup (or molasses), water, oleo, salt, and vanilla.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until it reaches the soft ball stage.
  3. Place the popped popcorn in a large pan and keep it warm in the oven.
  4. Remove the popcorn from the oven.
  5. Pour the hot syrup over the popcorn.
  6. Mix thoroughly.
  7. Using buttered plastic gloves, shape the mixture into balls.