2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups popped popcorn, unsalted (unpopped kernels removed)
2 (8 1/2 x 11-inch) oval paper plates
1 (6-inch) dessert paper plate
Aluminum foil
Licorice strings or colored toothpicks (six 2-inch strips)
Licorice rope (one 15-inch strip)
Light corn syrup for assembly
Combine sugar, water,
salt, 1/2 C. corn syrup and vinegar; cook to hard ball stage
(250 degrees Fahrenheit); add vanilla. Pour over popped corn
and mix well. Line paper plates with foil and press popcorn mixture
firmly into them; allow to cool. Unmold.
With a sharp knife cut
a wedge from one end of each large oval to form legs of cat.
Trim each small round (head) popcorn shape to fit other end of
oval (body). Cut licorice strings into six 2-inch strips and
rope licorice into a 15-inch strip.
To assemble, heat corn
syrup to a boil and brush over body and head shapes where they
fit together; press together to form cat. Brush flat side of
one cat with hot syrup; arrange 2-inch strips of licorice to
make whiskers. Press second cat over first to give a three-dimensional
effect. Cut ears from popcorn wedge scraps and attach to head
with hot syrup. Shape licorice rope into a tail and attach to
body.
