Country Cousin Popcorn Balls - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
2/3 c. apple juice or water
2/3 c. maple syrup
1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 qt. warm popped corn
1 c. salted peanuts
1 (8 oz.) pkg. chopped dates (1 1/2 c.)

Preparation

Combine sugar, apple juice or water, maple syrup, butter and salt in heavy saucepan.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove sugar from sides of pan with a wet brush.
Cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 270\u00b0 or the soft crack stage on a candy thermometer.
Add vanilla.
Pour mixture over popcorn, peanuts and dates; mix well.
Wet or butter hands and shape into 3-inch balls.
Makes 18 balls.