St. Patrick's Day Popcorn Balls

Recipe taken from www.247moms.blogspot.com

• Prep Time: 20 min.
• Cook Time: 20 min.
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Yield: Makes 12 3-inch balls.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, plus extra for coating bowl and hands
• 1 tablespoon water
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon green food coloring, optional
• 9 cups prepared popcorn
• 2 cups green M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate or Peanut Chocolate Candies
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Candy thermometer
• 2 quarts heavy bottom pot
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Large pot
• Waxed or parchment paper
• Cookie sheet
• Cellophane (optional)

• 1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, water and salt. Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking without stirring for another 10 minutes, or until the syrup reaches the hard-crack stage—300ºF on a candy thermometer. Immediately remove from heat, add vanilla extract and food coloring and mix well.
• 2. In a large greased pot, combine popped popcorn with syrup, stirring constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon until completely coated. Stir in M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies and marshmallows. Once mixture is cool enough to handle, coat hands with butter and form 3-inch balls. Place on tray lined with either wax or parchment paper until ready to serve, or, wrap in cellophane.