Country Cousin Popcorn Balls

Recipe By : SOAR -- http://soar.berkeley.edu/recipes/

6 Points Per Serving

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup apple juice -- or water

2/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

4 quarts popcorn, air-popped -- warm (15 cups)

1 cup honey-roasted peanuts -- unsalted or salted

1 1/2 cups chopped dates -- 1 8oz package

Combine sugar, apple juice, syrup, butter and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove sugar from sides of pan with a wet brush. Cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 270º F, or the soft crack stage on a candy thermometer. Add vanilla. Pour mixture over popped popcorn, peanuts and dates; mix well. Wet or butter hands and shape into 3-inch balls.

Makes 18 balls.

*1 ounce of unpopped popcorn kernels (2 tablespoons household measure) makes approximately 1 quart of popped popcorn.

NOTES : Per serving: 280.9 cal, 9.4g (28.8%) fat, 2.9g fibre, 297mg sodium, 49.3g carbs, 3.1g protien

Shared by: Jenn