Mother Goose Popcorn (Donna's Mother)

Step 1: Place popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. (Make sure that the bowl is large enough to mix hot syrup over popcorn without having the popcorn spill over).

Step 2: Combine all remaining ingredients in a saucepan.

Step 3: Cook sugar until it reaches the softball stage (235° F). Add food coloring until desired color is reached. (I sometimes don't use food coloring, it's up to you). Refer to NOTEs # 1 and 2 below.

Step 4: Pour syrup evenly over top of popcorn mixing with a wooden spoon until well coated and evenly distributed.

NOTE # 1: When sugar syrup is cooking, be sure to use a metal spoon to stir the syrup, if necessary. Each time you dip the spoon into the syrup, make sure that you place it directly into a glass of cold water that you have near by. This prevents the sugar from crystallizing when the spoon is introduced back into the saucepan.

NOTE # 2: To test if the softball stage is reached, drop a piece of syrup into cold water, it will form a soft ball.