2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup apple juice or water
2/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 quarts warm popped popcorn
1 cup honey-roasted, unsalted or salted peanuts
1 (8-ounce) package chopped dates (1 1/2 cups)
Combine sugar, apple juice, syrup, butter and salt in a 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*F (130*C), or the soft crack stage on a candy thermometer. Add vanilla.
Pour mixture over popped popcorn, peanuts and dates; mix well. Wet or butter hands and shape into 3-inch balls.
makes 18 balls.