Chocolate Chip Popcorn Balls

Cooking Instructions

Lightly butter a bowl or pot of at least four quart capacity, a 7" by 11" by 2" pan (or use one that's 9" by 9"), and a large spoon. Place the room temperature popped corn in the buttered bowl, and set all aside. In medium heatproof bowl, place marshmallows, 2-1/2 Tbsp. butter, and optional salt. Place over simmering water on low heat. Stir frequently until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and hot water. Quickly and carefully dry bottom of bowl, then pour melted mixture over popcorn all at once. Immediately mix everything together thoroughly, using buttered spoon. It will become a sticky mess--OK. Quickly butter your hands lightly. By handfuls or with buttered spoon, place about half the popcorn mixture into the prepared pan. Compact gently to form an even layer--it need not cover the entire bottom of the pan. Pour chocolate chips evenly over this layer--some may fall to pan bottom, which is OK. Quickly transfer remaining popcorn mixture into pan with buttered hands or spoon, and again compact to form as even a layer as possible. Cool completely at room temperature (this will only take a few minutes). Turn mixture out of pan onto a sheet of wax paper. Again, butter your hands lightly, and form a ball of the popcorn mixture and chips, using about one-twelfth of the total. If chips fall out of any popcorn balls, pres them into the surface. Re-butter your hands as necessary, and work quickly. Repeat with remaining popcorn mixture. As each ball is formed, place it on wax paper. When all balls have been formed, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Store airtight; eat within a day or two. 12 popcorn balls