Popcorn Balls, Party Mints and Spiced Tea

Popcorn balls, party mints and spiced tea. These are three simple and easy recipes for that fall-time party. Your guests will really be impressed that you made these yourself.

When I was young, our neighbors made homemade snacks for the trick-or-treaters and one of the treats that I remember the most are the popcorn balls. They were great! So whenever I make these popcorn balls, I think of Halloween.

Popcorn Balls

5 quarts popped corn

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 candy thermometer

Keep popcorn hot and crisp in slow oven (300 to 325 degrees). Butter sides of saucepan. In it, combine remaining ingredients except vanilla. Cook to hard-ball stage (250 degrees on the candy thermometer). Add vanilla. Pour slowly over hot popped corn, stirring just to mix thoroughly. Butter your hands lightly and shape into balls. This recipe makes 15 to 20 balls.

Yellow food coloring makes the balls look very rich. Red or green food coloring makes them very festive at Christmas time.

Party Mints

1 box powdered sugar

1 stick of butter (room temperature)

milk

peppermint oil

food coloring

Sift the sugar and cream the butter. Add a few drops of milk so you can mix it better. Add four or five drops of peppermint oil and a few drops of food coloring.

Make mixture into small balls (about 1/2 teaspoon). Place on cookie sheet. Put a nut or half a cherry on top of each mint. Let stand in refrigerator several hours. Store in tins in refrigerator until ready to use.

Spiced Tea

1 large jar Tang

2 packages or 1 large package of dry lemonade

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3/4 cup instant tea

Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon. Add three teaspoons to a glass of water. This tea is quick and easy and the dry mixture can be made days ahead.

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