Cocoa-Cayenne Popcorn Balls Recipe

• 9 cups plain popped popcorn
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• Zest of 1 medium orange
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Coat a large heatproof bowl with butter, vegetable oil, or cooking spray and place popcorn in the bowl.
2. Place sugar, corn syrup, water, vinegar, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir to combine.
3. Place over high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes.
4. Bring to a boil and cook until mixture registers 260 degrees F on a candy/fat thermometer, about 5 to 7 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in butter, cocoa, orange zest, cayenne, and vanilla until melted and smooth.
6. Immediately drizzle sugar mixture over popcorn.
7. Stir continuously with a rubber spatula, scraping the bottom of the bowl, until popcorn is thoroughly coated and cool enough to handle, about 3 minutes.
8. Using buttered or oiled hands, tightly press mixture (it may still be a bit warm) into 3-inch rounds.
9. Place on waxed or parchment paper to cool completely, about 15 to 20 minutes.

popcorn, sugar, light corn syrup, water, white vinegar, kosher salt, unsalted butter, cocoa, orange, cayenne pepper, vanilla

Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/cocoa-cayenne-popcorn-balls-27803 (may not work)