I got lucky with two wonderful great-aunts, Ada Eye and Ina Blizzard from Brandywine, and more specifically, Propstburg. I am not alone in adoring these two older ladies who always enjoyed visits from family and friends.
My cousin, Cary Hevener, probably agrees that one of our favorite memories of our aunts is their popcorn balls. Sometimes we are nostalgic about our childhood memories and our accuracy is off, but I think anyone who ever enjoyed an Aunt Ina popcorn ball will tell you it was one of the best things they have ever eaten. Fresh made kettle corn is a distant second in yumminess, but nothing made out of popcorn compares.
People who attended Calvary Lutheran Church got to enjoy the delicious treats during the holidays when they stopped by to Christmas carol. Since I had to travel from Charlottesville, Virginia, on Christmas day I had to wait until the late afternoon. Fortunately, Aunt Ada and Aunt Ina never disappointed and usually had extras for me to take home.
My sister, Gail, wrote down the recipe directly from Aunt Ina and we are happy to share it with anyone who wants to try. We hope it goes well and sparks lots of new fond memories.
Aunt Ina’s Popcorn Balls
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
3/4 tsp. salt
3 quarts popped corn
1/3 cup Karo White Syrup
1/4 cup butter
3/4 tsp. vanilla
Cook without stirring until syrup forms a brittle ball in cold water. (She didn’t specify, but I think she assumed we knew to put the sugar, water, salt, Karo Syrup, butter, and vanilla together and heat.)
Pour over popcorn and form balls with buttered hands.
Warning: Aunt Ina had hands of steel and hot didn’t seem to bother her. I suggest spraying a roasting pan with cooking spray and adding the popcorn. Then pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn. It is easier to mix. Also cover hands with bags or gloves, also sprayed with cooking spray. The mixture starts to harden fast, so work quickly. It will be hot!
My sister and I have not tried to replicate the recipe in a long time. The last time we tried it did not go well for numerous reasons including a salt incident and buttered hands that could not handle the hot popcorn mix.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Sandra McLaughlin and Gail Megahan
Charlottesville, Virginia
