Yanno, Valentine’s Day is almost here – a day celebrated for sweethearts, but also by everyone, young and old, and those of us that just celebrate friendship. I’ve done a few popcorn mixes for different holidays, but never for Valentine’s Day. Today, I change all that! Here is my Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn.
Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn
There was a time I was a little lukewarm about popcorn mixes, but lately, I’ve found the mix of sweet and salty, soft and crunchy has changed my mind. In the last couple of years, I’ve made a Peppermint Bark Popcorn, a White Chocolate Christmas Party Mix, a Bunny Bait Popcorn, and let’s not forget Halloween Marshmallow Popcorn Bars. And which is my fave? Well, whatever one I’m eating right now!
About Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn:
My Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn is just the perfect blend of sweet/salty and just a little more restrained than some of my other popcorn creations. Now when I say restrained, it still has plenty of goodies, but only one kind of chocolate, the white chocolate. I know, I know, some of you are haters of white chocolate and don’t even believe it’s chocolate, but trust me on this one.
With the pretzels and other goodies in Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn that super sweet white chocolate is just the thing to stand up to the salt and enrobe everything in deliciousness! In this popcorn mix, I’ve added in conversation hearts; the package said they were “minis” but they were regular-sized and just the package was “mini.” I might not use them next time because they are so hard to bite into. Then there’s the winner in this mix, pretzels, either sticks or the – would you call them “pretzel shaped” pretzels? Either works. And the surprise bit of deliciousness is marshmallows. They’re not my fave thing in the world but they’re so great in this. Finish your mix up with candy decorations and maybe just a sprinkle of colored sugar! That’s where you can really have fun and customize.
Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn is just the perfect thing to make with the kids and enjoy with them. If you want to, divvy up in little bags for those you can give homemade little gifts to, as well. Or make them without kids just because Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn is just so good – you might not want to share with too many people! Just kidding. Or am I? Anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day to you, and yes, I would share if you were here!
Making Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn:
I pretty much avoid the bagged popcorn, primarily because I’m frugal and also because I like to avoid those additives, although what can I say about everything in this mix!! It hardly matters! Everything, pretty much in Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn is up to you. I like to use about 2 quarts, which is about 8 cups, which is 1/4 cup unpopped popcorn in this recipe but it’s not really particular. See my post on Freshly Popped Homemade Popcorn for all kinds of info, including charts on unpopped to popped ratios.
I think 8 to 10 cups of popcorn is perfect for a bag of white chocolate chips. And when you choose those white chocolate chips, for best melting and best taste get the best ones you can find; if not take a look at almond bark. Good ol’ almond bark does melt beautifully. If you can’t get your white chocolate to a spreadable point, add in a little neutral oil, about a teaspoon at a time and stir it in. Even if your white chocolate is pretty thick, you can, if you work quickly, keep spreading and tossing with a spatula to enrobe your popcorn, pretzels, hearts, and marshmallows, in a large bowl (or a big pot like a Dutch oven.)
Then dump your popcorn out and spread it on a wax paper lined sheet tray. Now the fun part! While it’s still warm, so act quickly, add any fun candies and sprinkle on the glitter. Gently press in if needed. I used hearts and lips and pink crystals. The beauty of this recipe is no measuring needed for anything, really than the popcorn. Just add a handful or two of this or a sprinkle of that!
Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn
Saving Money on Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn:
Popcorn, especially Freshly Popped Homemade Popcorn is dirt cheap! Even the bagged stuff, which can be up to 20 times of popping your own won’t break the bank. What’s even better in this recipe is the more “gourmet” mushroom popcorn, if you care to buy (or order) it. White chocolate is quite a bit more expensive than almond bark, so choose your “poison” appropriately.
Any baking items are going to be on sale during most holidays, especially pre Thanksgiving through New Year’s and Easter, but you’ll find a lot of chocolate on sale around Valentine’s day, and a lot of discounted chocolate the day after. You can buy the “better” chocolate to bake with, at a steep discount. Act fast, though – the stores empty fast.
And of course, the day after is the right time to stock up on the decorative candies (they’ll last past the Apocalypse) and things like cupcake liners and so on. See my post on Happy Valentine’s Day Sales for items to look for. And it’s not just candy! Steaks, seafood, wines, etc. are all on the menu of savings.
Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn
Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 cups popped popcorn
- salt to taste
- 1 package, 12 oz white chocolate (high-quality chocolate will melt better)
- pretzels, about 2 cups, a handful or two; break the sticks in half if you wish
- mini marshmallows, a cup or two
- conversation hearts, about a cup, optional
- pink or red colored sanding sugar, a couple tablespoons
- desired decorations, hearts lips, etc.
Instructions
Line a large baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Set aside.
Place popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl and add salt to taste. The final product does taste better if the popcorn is salted. Add pretzels, marshmallows and conversation hearts.
Add white chocolate to a microwave safe bowl. Working in 1-minute intervals, heat white chocolate, stirring after each minute, until warm and melted. Carefully pour melted white chocolate over popcorn mix and gently mix with a spatula until popcorn is coated.
Spread out on lined baking sheet. While still warm sprinkle with sugar and decorations. Let cool and once set, break into bite-sized chunks.
Note: If white chocolate is too thick to spread add a little neutral oil, a teaspoon at a time until it can be worked with. Even if it’s very thick, it will still spread and cover the popcorn.
Keywords: Appetizer, Candy, Chocolate, Desserts, marshmallows, Popcorn, pretzels, white chocolate
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