YaYa’s Molasses Popcorn Balls
Molasses Popcorn Balls are a nostalgic Southern treat made with light and dark molasses, vinegar, and butter, cooked to a firm-ball stage and poured over freshly popped corn. Once coated, the popcorn is shaped by hand into chewy, sweet balls with a deep molasses flavor and just a touch of salt. Perfect for holidays, fall festivals, or homemade gifts.
Ingredients
- ½ cup light molasses
- ½ cup dark molasses
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ quarts popped corn
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine light molasses, dark molasses, and vinegar. Stir together and set over medium heat.
- Bring the mixture to 240°F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. This is the firm-ball stage. You can test this by dropping a bit of syrup into cold water—it should form a ball you can press but not flatten completely.
- Once at temperature, remove the pot from heat and stir in the butter until completely melted.
- Pour the hot syrup mixture slowly over the popped and lightly salted corn in a large bowl. Stir well with a wooden spoon or greased spatula to coat every kernel.
- Once cool enough to handle but still warm and sticky, shape the coated popcorn into balls using greased hands.
- Set formed balls on wax paper or parchment and let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Yaya’s Tips for Success
This sticky-sweet treat is one of those old-timey Southern confections that takes just a few pantry ingredients but turns into something that feels like home. The key to success is careful temperature control and working quickly while the syrup is hot and pliable.
- Use both light and dark molasses for a richer depth of flavor
- Stir the mixture continuously to avoid burning
- Test for the firm-ball stage by dropping syrup into cold water
- Lightly salt the popcorn ahead of time for a balanced sweet-salty bite
- Grease your hands with a bit of butter or wear disposable gloves to help shape the balls while still warm
Yaya’s Customization Ideas
If you’re feelin’ a little playful or want to tailor these for a party, you’ve got options.
- For a lighter molasses flavor, you can substitute one of the molasses portions with honey or light corn syrup.
- Add-ins like roasted peanuts or chopped pecans give a satisfying crunch, while a sprinkle of cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne can warm up the flavor.
- You can even dip half the ball in melted chocolate and let it set for a decadent finish.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like Brownstone Fruit Cake for its rich chocolate and caramel flavor or Hillbilly Pie, a timeless Southern classic. Both bring that same homemade comfort and nostalgic sweetness you’ll find in these Molasses Popcorn Balls.
Yaya’s Original Recipe Card
