Guess what? This is a whole-grain dessert. To keep the stickiness at bay, wear latex gloves coated with cooking spray as you shape the popcorn balls.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/3 cup unpopped popcorn
- Cooking spray
- 1 ounce lightly crushed apple chips
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cinnamon hard candies
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make It
Step 1
Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add popcorn; cover and cook 3 minutes or until kernels pop, shaking pan frequently. When popping slows down, remove pan from heat. Let stand 1 minute or until popping stops. Pour popcorn into a large bowl coated with cooking spray. Stir in apple chips.
Step 2
Combine sugar and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a medium, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer registers 300°. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Immediately pour hot syrup over popcorn; toss well to coat. Cool slightly (about 1 to 2 minutes). Carefully form mixture into 8 balls, being careful not to compact too tightly.