Freshly popped popcorn from the stove-top or an air popper, maybe with a touch of butter & a little salt – is there anything better? Well, yeah, there is! Popcorn tossed with goodies (especially the m&m’s) and drizzled with white chocolate. Now you’re talking! And here it is, my White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix.
White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix
Talk about a salty, sweet crave-worthy addictive treat. You’re going to hate me because you’ll find out how EASY this is and you won’t want to stop eating this stuff! This is crazy crave-worthy.
About White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix:
Yeah, I’m wild crazy about this stuff and think you will be, too! Taken individually (except the mini m&m’s, I love those) these are all things I like but am not over the moon about. White chocolate I like in recipes with raspberries (hello White Chocolate Raspberry Bread Pudding) but don’t eat it by itself. Pretzels aren’t usually on my snack list. And popcorn? Unless it’s in front of me, I just forget about it. Then there are marshmallows. They’re for my Best Double Hot Chocolate, right?
But put them together and the taste and textures all meld into magic. There’s crispy, chewy, gooey, sweet, double chocolatey and salty all at once. And it’s punctuated by the baby m&m’s and when you get a cluster with a bunch of them it’s like you won the lottery! The big surprise is how the marshmallows add such chewiness but coated in white chocolate, they don’t even taste like marshmallows!
This White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix has become a new tradition at my house every year! And it’s spawned a little host of Popcorn Mixes. Who knew that I’d fall in love again at my age, but the mix of sweet and salty, soft and crunchy has me a little addicted. I’ve made a Peppermint Bark Popcorn, a Valentines Day Popcorn Mix, a Bunny Bait Popcorn, and let’s not forget gooey Halloween Marshmallow Popcorn Bars. And which is my fave? Well, whatever one I’m eating right now!
Making White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix:
You can use microwave popcorn for this, a “plain” one but I pop my own popcorn. I’ve never warmed up to microwave popcorn, that’s how old I am – I predate microwave popcorn. Heck, I predate microwaves! I have a post just on how to make Freshly Popped Homemade Popcorn coz I know there are peeps out there who have never made it.
The sizes and yields of each kind of microwave popcorn is different so you’ll have to do the math. Sorry! See what the serving size is and multiply it by the number of servings to find out how many cups are in a bag and then use however many bags you need to get to 16 cups worth.
I like to put the popcorn after it’s popped in a big bowl and “fluff” it gently with my fingers, letting any and hopefully all old maids drop to the bottom of the bowl. Then rather than pour the popcorn out, I scoop it out onto the cookie sheets.
I used to think the best white chocolate was important but over time found it can “seize” up; get grainy and harden. To avoid that, melt chocolate in the microwave (white or not) in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Add a teaspoon or two of oil (not butter) if it is hardening and stir like heck! You might find almond bark easier to work with but beware, it’s very sweet. You can use one or two bags of white chocolate chips (two is recommended) so you’ll need between 12 to 24 ounces of almond bark.
If your m&m’s aren’t sticking, place your sheet tray full of mix in the oven for a few minutes. 350 degrees for two or three minutes usually works. Then turn several times with a spatula. It will look messier but be just as delish, and maybe even better!
White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix
Saving Money on White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix:
You’ll find money-saving tips on popcorn on this post for Freshly Popped Homemade Popcorn, but to give you an idea, microwave popcorn runs ten to 20 times more than freshly popped. Watch for the best prices on popcorn in the fall when the warehouses are full and it’s priced to move.
As far as the most bang for your buck, this is THE time of the year to stock up on baking goods and specials. Anywhere from pre-Thanksgiving all the way to Christmas, there will be specials and plenty of coupons, if you use them. See my list of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Savings. There may be some minor sales around Valentine’s Day on baking items, but the next big sale will be Easter. Take a look at what items will on sale around all the major holidays on this post, Win at the Grocer’s if you’re so inclined.
I’ve started using the grocery’s delivery options to compare prices on individual items, then backing out of them. I still pour through the ads every week but when I want something specific, like mini m&m’s, it’s a great way to compare prices.
White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn Party Mix
- Total Time: 30 minutes plus cool
- Yield: 4 quarts 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- neutral cooking oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (that’s 16 cups popped)
- salt to taste, about a teaspoon
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 to 2 packages of white chocolate chips, the more the better (see note)
- 1 bag of mini Christmas m&m’s
Instructions
Pop popcorn using the desired method.
For stove-top, add three kernels of popcorn to a large pan. Add enough oil (a tablespoon or two) to come almost halfway up the sides of the kernels. Turn heat to medium-high.
When the kernels pop, add the rest of the popcorn, cover and shake continuously until there is a second (one-one thousand) between pops. Remove from heat and immediately pour one huge or two medium bowls. Sprinkle with salt and mix.
Add in the pretzels and mini-marshmallows and toss.
Melt chocolate in the microwave. Start with a one minute increment, then stir and place back in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. If not melted, heat for another 30 seconds & stir. Repeat only until mostly melted then stir until completely melted.
Drizzle the chocolate over the mixture and mix well with a large spoon, spatula or clean hands. Sprinkle immediately with m&m’s. Spread out onto two large sheet pans lined with waxed paper, parchment or foil. Allow to sit until the chocolate has hardened, break apart.
Notes:
- If your white chocolate, after isn’t melting well, or if after melting, is still too thick to drizzle, whisk in a little oil a teaspoon at a time.
- If your mixture isn’t sticking together, add more white chocolate or place in a warm oven for several minutes then turn over gently several times with a spatula. This may cause the marshmallows & m&m’s to become melty and crack a bit which is delicious, also.
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I’ll be bringing this recipe to our very own Throwback Thursday as well as to Fiesta Friday. Our Fiesta Friday co-hosts this week are Caroline @ Caroline’s Cooking and Tânia @ Iwanttobeacook.
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