1 c. sugar or firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 c. corn syrup
1/4 c. water
2 qts. popped popcorn
1/4 c. or 1/2 stick butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Keep popcorn warm in 250 degree oven. In 1 quart saucepan stir together sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 270 degrees or a small amount dropped into very cold water separates into hard but brittle threads. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, stir only enough to mix it in the syrup. Pour syrup slowly over popcorn, mixing it with a fork. When cool enough to handle but still warm form into balls or desired shape.