Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup Honey or white corn syrup

1/3 cup water

¼ cup butter

¾ teaspoon salt

¾ teaspoon vanilla

3 quarts popped corn

Combine sugar, honey or syrup, water, butter, and salt in a saucepan.  Cook over medium-high heat to hard ball stage, 270 degrees. 

After sugars are dissolved do not stir the pan, swirl the pan to stir.   Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  While syrup is cooking place popcorn in a large pan, also have a piece of parchment paper ready to place formed balls. 

Pour syrup over popcorn and stir carefully until corn is covered, use gloves with a little spray oil on to keep from sticking.  Shape into 12 balls and set on parchment to let cool.  Wrap with plastic when cool.