Cranberry Popcorn Balls Food

CRANBERRY-GINGER POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger, 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring. Stir in 3/4 cup each dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat; using a rubber spatula, stir in 12 cups popcorn until coated. Butter your hands, then shape into balls.

CRANBERRY POPCORN

Steps:

• To make this cranberry corn, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a saucepan with 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 2 tablespoons each sugar and honey and 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and salt. Cook until the cranberries pop, about 3 minutes. Toss with 12 cups popcorn and 1 cup chopped toasted almonds. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees F, stirring occasionally, until dry, about 8 minutes.

CRANBERRY POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F Place popcorn in a large, 4 inch deep, buttered baking pan. Keep warm in the oven.
• Pour water into a large buttered saucepan. Securely tie cloves, allspice and cinnamon in a piece of cheesecloth and place in water. Cover saucepan and simmer 20 minutes.
• Remove spices from pan. Stir in cranberries, sugar, corn syrup, orange peel, nutmeg and food coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolved and mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking until mixture reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer.
• Remove popcorn from heat. Pour syrup mixture slowly over popcorn, stirring to coat. Shape into balls. Allow to cool, wrap in plastic wrap, tie with colored ribbon and give as gifts during the holiday season.