Perfectly Pink Valentine’s Day Popcorn

Did you know that there are some people who don’t like dark chocolate? I know, I’m clutching my pearls too. I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but apparently I’m friends with a few of them! With some it’s an allergy issue, with others it’s just a matter of taste, but no matter the reason, it really puts a crimp in my edible gift-giving style! I’m such a chocolate lover, I always gravitate to chocolate desserts myself, so I have to think outside of the box when I’m making treats for these chocolate-phobes.

Last week’s Valentine’s Day post, Nutella Candy Hearts, was for the chocolate and hazelnut lovers in your life. This week I thought I’d share something totally different: A quick and easy sweet snack mix that’s light on the chocolate and perfect for teacher’s gifts, children’s parties, and anyone who loves bright, fruity flavors.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

This snack mix starts with a bright pink, crunchy popcorn that’s packed with strawberry flavor. It’s totally addicting and really good on its own, so if you want to keep things simple you can just make the popcorn and call it a day. If you’re game, though, we’re going to take things up a notch and add a bit of white chocolate coating and a big sprinkle of fun Valentine’s Day candies. I admit I cheated a bit on my no-chocolate promise and added some M&Ms, but you can customize it any way you’d like–I think this would also look really cute with conversation hearts!

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

The final result is a big bowl of snack mix that is totally different and delicious, entirely adorable, and perfect for gifting! Package it in small bags to hand out as edible valentines, or set out a big bowl to munch on at parties or movie nights. It’s so good, even the most fervent chocolate lovers will be won over! Here’s how you do it:

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Perfectly Pink Valentine’s Day Popcorn

Ingredients

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Preheat the oven to 300 F. Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Pop the microwave popcorn according to the package directions, and pour the popped popcorn into a large bowl. This is usually the point at which I eat a third of the bowl, realize what I’ve done, and have to pop a second bag to top up the bowl. Don’t be like me. Resist that buttery siren song!

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Place the butter and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the butter is just melted.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Add the sugar and strawberry gelatin, and stir until they are dissolved. It might look a little grainy from the gelatin at first–that’s okay.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Bring the mixture to a low boil, and, stirring occasionally, boil it for 4 minutes. It will thicken a bit as it boils, so just stir to make sure it doesn’t scorch on the bottom.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

After 4 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and pour the sugar syrup over the popcorn in the bowl. Working quickly, stir until the popcorn is entirely coated with the pink syrup. Scrape the popcorn out onto the baking sheet and spread it into a thin layer.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Bake the popcorn for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, then remove it from the oven and separate any big popcorn clusters. Let it cool completely at room temperature—as it cools it will get nice and crispy!

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

The fruity popcorn is good on its own, but for Valentine’s Day, we’re going to take it one step further and add white chocolate. Melt the white chocolate melting wafers in a large bowl in the microwave, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. (I should add here that if you want to take the “Perfectly Pink” idea one step further, you can use pink melting wafers instead of white for a serrrrriously pink popcorn experience!)

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

Add the cooled popcorn and stir until the popcorn is coated. Spread the popcorn in an even layer back out on the baking sheet.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

While the white chocolate is still wet, scatter the Valentine’s candies all over the top, pressing down slightly to embed them in the chocolate. Reserve some of the candy to toss with the finished popcorn later. Refrigerate the tray briefly to set the white chocolate, for about 15 minutes. Once set, break the popcorn into pieces and toss it with the remaining candy.

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

This candy is freshest if you enjoy it within a week (although it will keep longer, it will get chewier over time), but that’s plenty of time to spread the perfectly pink Valentine’s Day love. Don’t forget to save some for yourself, too! As always, there’s an easily printable recipe and pin-able image down below. Enjoy, and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 300 F. Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Pop the microwave popcorn according to the package directions, and pour the popped popcorn into a large bowl.
  2. Place the butter and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the butter is melted. Add the sugar and strawberry gelatin, and stir until they are dissolved. Bring the mixture to a low boil, and, stirring occasionally, boil it for 4 minutes.
  3. After 4 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and pour the sugar syrup over the popcorn in the bowl. Stir until the popcorn is coated. Scrape the popcorn out onto the baking sheet and spread it into a thin layer. Bake the popcorn for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, then remove it from the oven and separate any big popcorn clusters. Let it cool completely at room temperature—as it cools it will get nice and crispy!
  4. The fruity popcorn is good on its own, but for Valentine's Day, we're going to take it one step further and add white chocolate. Melt the white chocolate melting wafers in a large bowl in the microwave, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Add the cooled popcorn and stir until the popcorn is coated. Spread the popcorn in an even layer back out on the baking sheet.
  5. While the white chocolate is still wet, scatter the Valentine's candies all over the top, pressing down slightly to embed them in the chocolate. Reserve some of the candy to toss with the finished popcorn later. Refrigerate the tray briefly to set the white chocolate, for about 15 minutes. Once set, break the popcorn into pieces and toss it with the remaining candy. Store this popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

 

Perfectly Pink Valentine's Day Popcorn | From OhNuts.com

All text and images (c) Elizabeth LaBau

 

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