"Old School" Halloween Treats

In an age where the childhoods of today barely resemble that of their parents, there’s something comfortingly retro about Halloween. Here are a few “old school” treats to enjoy with your kids. Granted, they’ll probably be texting away as you wax nostalgic about the good old days, but everyone will come together for the food!

Popcorn Balls

What You Need:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• ½ apple cider vinegar
• ¼ kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 10 cups air-popped popcorn
• ¾ cup roasted and unsalted cashew pieces, chopped
• ¾ cup raisins or cranberries

What You Do:

1. In a small saucepan stir together the sugar, water, light corn syrup, cider vinegar and salt.
2. Cook over high heat until a candy thermometer inserted into the mixture reaches 260 degrees (hard-ball stage), Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
3. In a large stainless steel bowl, add popcorn, cashew nuts and raisins and toss with your hands to mix. Pour hot candy mixture over the popcorn and stir with a wooden spoon.
4. Lightly grease your hands with vegetable oil. Allow the popcorn mixture to cool slightly (so that it is cool enough to work with but has not solidified too much) and form small popcorn balls with your hands.
5. Allow to cool completely on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Popcorn balls look especially festive wrapped up in small clear cellophane bags tied with orange bows.

Makes approximately 10 balls.