Popcorn Snowman

Directions

1. 1
   About 2 hours before serving or day ahead: Place popped corn in a large open roasting pan and set in 225 degrees F oven to keep warm.
2. 2
   Meanwhile, in a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, heat sugar, corn syrup, margarine or butter, salt and water to boiling, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves.
3. 3
   Set candy thermometer in place and continue cooking, without stirring, until temperature reaches 250 degrees F or hard ball stage.
4. 4
   Remove saucepan from heat; quickly stir in vanilla.
5. 5
   Pour hot syrup mixture over popcorn, tossing to coat well.
6. 6
   Set aside about 2 cups popcorn mixture for snowman's hat.
7. 7
   Wearing clean rubber gloves (for handling hot mixture), shape remaining mixture popcorn into 2 balls, one slightly larger.
8. 8
   On large plate, place smaller popcorn ball on top of larger popcorn ball to form snowman's body.
9. 9
   Shape reserved popcorn mixture into coneshaped hat; place on top of snowman's head.
10. 10
    In a mall bowl, mix confectioner's sugar with 1 1/4 teaspoon water to form a thick pasty frosting.
11. 11
    Cut snowman's mouth from fruit roll; cut remaining fruit rolls into strips.
12. 12
    Attach strips around neck for scarf and on hat for decoration.
13. 13
    With frosting, attach 1 green gumdrop to snowman' face for nose, and 2 purple gumdrops for eyes.
14. 14
    With frosting, attach remaining green gumdrops around base and on tip of hat.
15. 15
    With frosting, attach raisins to snowman's body for buttons.