Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls

• 4 quarts popped popcorn
• 2 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Yellow and red food coloring
• 2 to 3 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)
• 1/4 cup vanilla frosting
• 8 candy spearmint leaves

1. Place popcorn in a roasting pan; keep warm in a 200u0b0 oven.
2. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 250u0b0 (hard-ball stage).
3. Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and food coloring (about 1 teaspoon yellow and 9 drops red) until blended. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until coated. When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-1/2-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking.
4. Cut triangles and rectangles from candy bars for pumpkin eyes, noses and mouths. In a small bowl, combine the frosting with 5 drops of yellow and 3 drops of red food coloring; attach facial features with frosting. Attach a spearmint leaf to the top of each.

popcorn, sugar, water, light corn syrup, white vinegar, salt, vanilla, coloring, milk chocolate, vanilla frosting, spearmint leaves

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/jack-o-lantern-popcorn-balls/ (may not work)