Pop 10 to 12 cups of plain popcorn and place it in a large bowl
Remove any unpopped kernels
In a saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/4 cup water
Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves
Bring the mixture to a boil
Boil until it reaches the soft-ball stage, about 235°F to 240°F
Remove from heat
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt
Let the syrup cool slightly
Pour the syrup over the popcorn
Stir until the popcorn is evenly coated
Lightly butter your hands
Shape the coated popcorn into balls while still warm
Place the popcorn balls on wax paper
Let them cool and set completely
Wrap individually if desired