Valentine’s Popcorn

Two kinds of chocolate coat this Valentine’s Popcorn! Plus, there are mini marshmallows and Valentine’s M&M’s in this fun snack mix.

A Fun and Festive Treat!

Get ready to win the hearts of your loved ones with this Valentine’s Popcorn recipe! I don’t know about you, but I love surprising my kids with fun treats, especially during the first few days of February. And let me tell you, this popcorn has quickly become one of their all-time favorites! My boys are absolutely obsessed with popcorn, and when it’s coated in a generous amount of chocolate and loaded with M&Ms®, they just can’t get enough. 

How to make Valentine’s Popcorn:

The descriptions below correlate with the photos above.

1. Add the popcorn, marshmallows, and half the Valentine’s M&M’s to a very large bowl.
2. Drizzle in the melted white chocolate.
3. Quickly toss the ingredients together; the quicker you work here the better! And of course, be gentle so you don’t crush the popcorn kernels.
4. Pour the white-chocolate-coated popcorn on a parchment paper (or non-stick baking mat) lined tray. Spread the popcorn in one even layer.
5. Drizzle melted regular (milk or dark) chocolate over the popcorn.

Tips for melting chocolate:

• Stir the chocolate often during the melting process! This is the best tip I have to avoid burning chocolate in the microwave: stirring often and in 20-25 second increments keeps the chocolate from getting too hot. Remember that the chocolate continues to melt even when it’s outside of the microwave.
• Use high-quality white chocolate for the best results. You’ll get both a better melt and a better flavor. My favorite on Valentine’s Popcorn is Ghirardelli® or Guittard®. Cheaper brands can have a waxier content that is far less flavorful. 
• Don’t allow any liquid near the chocolate. If it gets wet it will seize and harden, and you don’t want that. Here’s why.
• Work quickly. White chocolate hardens quickly, so it’s important to mix it with the other popcorn, marshmallows, and M&M’s immediately after it’s melted.
• Add M&M’s to the top. To keep this pretty, I like to press M&M’s on top with the chocolate drizzle. You don’t have to do this, but I feel like it makes the popcorn look better and ensures a very even distribution of M&M’s.

Valentine’s Popcorn tips:

• I recommend using already-popped popcorn. It’s already been salted and it makes this recipe come together so quickly and easily. Make sure to pick out any un-popped kernels.
• Use a really large bowl to toss all the ingredients with the white chocolate; it will be much easier with a large bowl or even spread out on a platter, to ensure it all gets coated in chocolate.
• Don’t forget to line the sheet pan(s) with parchment paper or a non-stick liner. Otherwise, Valentine’s Popcorn won’t come off the tray very well.

More Valentine’s fun:

• Easy Valentine’s Gifts {Free Printables}
• Easy Valentine’s Gifts Part 2 {Free Printables}
• Valentine Cookies
• Four easy Valentine’s Day Treats
• The best Crème Brûlée

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5 from 3 votes

Valentine's Popcorn

By Chelsea Lords

Two kinds of chocolate coat this Valentine's Popcorn! Plus, there are mini marshmallows and Valentine's M&M's in this fun snack mix.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 -10 people

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 10 cups plain popped popcorn, (no butter added; just air popped) (Note 1)
• ▢ 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• ▢ 1 bag (10 oz.) Valentine's Day (pink, red & white) M&M's, divided
• ▢ 1 bag (12 oz.) good-quality white chocolate chips (or melts)
• ▢ 1/2 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon vegetable/canola oil (or shortening), divided
• ▢ 1/2 cup milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips (whichever you like best!)
• ▢ 3 tablespoons Valentine's Day sprinkles, optional

Instructions 

• PREP: Line 1 extra-large or 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper or Silpat liners. Set aside. In a very large bowl, add the popped popcorn, miniature marshmallows, and 1 and 1/4 cups of Valentine's Day M&M's. Toss and set aside.
• WHITE CHOCOLATE: Place the white chocolate chips and 1/2 tablespoon shortening (or oil) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in bursts of 30 seconds stirring in between each burst until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Be patient to avoid burning the chocolate. Once the white chocolate is smooth and fully melted, pour it over the popcorn. Working quickly, toss the ingredients together to coat all the ingredients in the white chocolate.
• MILK CHOCOLATE: Immediately pour the white-chocolate-coated popcorn onto the prepared sheet pan(s). Spread into 1 even layer. Melt the milk chocolate with remaining 1/2 teaspoon shortening or oil. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst. Transfer melted chocolate to a small zipper-top plastic bag and cut a tiny tip off the corner with scissors (or use a pastry bag fitted with a #3 tip). Drizzle the chocolate evenly and generously over all the popcorn. While the chocolate is still soft, press the remaining Valentine's M&M's into the popcorn. Immediately sprinkle with Valentine's Day sprinkles if using.
• HARDEN: Let popcorn harden at room temperature (or in the fridge) until solid. Break into pieces and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Best if eaten within 1-2 days

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Popcorn: Purchasing already popped popcorn makes this recipe come together a little bit quicker, but it’s a bit more spendy. If you’d rather pop your own, here’s what we use. (Or use kernels (~1/2 cup), but be sure to add a touch of salt (to preference) to the popcorn to enhance the end flavors.)  

Nutrition

Serving: 10servings | Calories: 1131kcal | Carbohydrates: 206g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 27g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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