Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      cups          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
   8      ounces        chopped dates

Preparation:

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 degrees Fahrenheit, 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.