Country Cousin Popcorn Balls

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup apple juice or water
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 quarts warm popped popcorn
• 1 cup honey-roasted, unsalted or salted peanuts
• 1 8-ounce package chopped dates (1 1/2 cups)