Many years ago for Halloween, Mom would make homemade treats for trick or treating and pass them out to the neighborhood. These were all made from scratch and she would decorate them to look festive. They were a wonderful childhood memory. These were shaped by hand (I used a cookie scoop), and tinted the candy mixture with to be orange with red and yellow food coloring. After they cooled she would wrap them in wax paper, we use a pretty cellophane Halloween festive bag found at most dollar stores. These were delicious and that memory will be etched in my mind forever. As you can see in the photo we added a candy chocolate roll for the stem, just get creative and decorate them however you prefer. Making memories with food is a lifelong smile.

Vintage Popcorn Balls shaped into pumpkins via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

Shopping List:

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels ( I used an air popper)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• Optional: red and yellow food coloring ( these can be left white pumpkins if you prefer no food coloring)

Directions:

1. In a heavy-duty saucepot add the sugar and water with the syrup and bring to a boil..
2. Using a candy thermometer boil until the syrup reaches 260 degrees stirring constantly this may take around 30 minutes.
3. Once it hits 260 degrees, add the vinegar, vanilla, food coloring if using and salt mixing to blend evenly.
4. Pour this over the popped corn.
5. Use a silicone spatula to coat evenly.
6. Cool slightly enough to handle to shape into balls ( I made small ones using the largest cookie scoop that was lightly oiled and sprayed).
7. After shaping them add to a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
8. These can be decorated with chocolate candy stems, green frosting for a stem, or by using cut-up spearmint candy leaves.

Other Halloween Treats:

Witch Pistachio Fingers

Halloween Party Ideas

Donut Eyeballs