Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup light molasses
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 16 cups popped popcorn
- 16 small (5 or 6 oz) paper or plastic cups
- 16 sucker sticks or popsicle sticks
Preparation:
1. Spray the inside of the paper or plastic cups with nonstick cooking spray, and spray the interior of a large heat-safe bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place the popped popcorn into the sprayed bowl and set aside for now.
2. Combine the molasses, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar is melted, then insert a candy thermometer.
3. Cook the candy, stirring occasionally, until it reads 250 degrees on the candy thermometer. Remove the thermometer, take the pan off the heat, and carefully pour the hot candy over the popcorn in the bowl. Stir with a heat-safe spoon until the popcorn is entirely coated.
4. Carefully spoon the hot popcorn into the sprayed cups. After all the cups have been filled, spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray and carefully push down on the popcorn to “pack” it into the cups and produce a nice solid shape. Push a sucker or popsicle stick into the middle of the popcorn pops, and allow them to set and cool completely.
5. Once set, push on the bottom of the cups or squeeze the sides to push out the popcorn pops. Enjoy them immediately, or wrap them in cellophane or waxed paper so that they don’t become too sticky. These pops will become very hard when cold, so keep them at room temperature.
