Popcorn Witch's Hat and Broomsticks

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup light molasses
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 quarts warm popped popcorn *
Licorice strings
Candy corn
Wooden skewers

Combine sugar, molasses, water and salt in a heavy saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring until sugar dissolves. Wash sugar from sides of pan with a wet brush. Cook to 270 degrees F (soft-crack stage on a candy thermometer).

Remove from heat; stir in butter. Pour glaze over popcorn and mix well. Shape as directed below.

Witch's Hat: Pack 1 recipe of mixture into a large buttered funnel or similarly slanted bowl. Immediately turn out the mold and finish shaping into a pointed cone with hands. Cool. To assemble hat, place popcorn cone on a 12-inch black cardboard circle or a 12-inch plate. Decorate brim of hat with candy corn and licorice string tie.

Broomsticks: Make 1 recipe. Measure 1 cup of mixture to shape into each broom head. Insert wooden skewer for handle. Wrap with licorice string. Licorice strings also may be cut in 2 1/2-inch lengths and used for broom straws.

Yield: approximately 9 brooms.

* 1 ounce of unpopped popcorn kernels (2 tablespoons household measure) makes approximately 1 quart of popped popcorn.