“This could be a great treat after any games.”

INGREDIENTS   

3/4 cup un-popped popcorn
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla
2 to 4 drops food coloring, optional
Salt, optional

DIRECTIONS 

• Pop popcorn and remove all un-popped kernels.
• Place popcorn on a greased 17x12x2 inch baking pan.
• Keep popcorn warm in a 300° F oven while making syrup.
• Butter the sides of a heavy 1-1/2-quart saucepan.
• Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in the saucepan.
• Cook over medium-high heat until mixture boils, stirring to dissolve sugar.
• Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan and reduce heat to medium.
• Continue boiling at a moderate rate until thermometer registers 300 degree F (hard-crack stage), stirring occasionally (about 25 to 30 minutes).
• Remove thermometer and saucepan from heat.
• Stir in vanilla and food coloring, slowly.
• Pour syrup in a thin stream over hot popcorn, stir gently to coat; Cool.
• Break into pieces by using gloved hands.
• Store tightly covered or in plastic bags.