Description
A festive Halloween treat combining the flavors of red velvet with crunchy popcorn, a tangy cream cheese drizzle, and sweet candy mix-ins. This recipe is quick to make and stays crisp for hours.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 cups popped popcorn, plain and lightly salted
- 10 oz red candy melts
- 1–1.5 tbsp natural cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsp neutral oil (if needed)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- Pinch of fine salt
- 1.5 cups mini pretzels or salted nuts
- 1 cup Halloween candies (candy corn or M&Ms)
Instructions
- Pop 12 cups of popcorn and sift out any unpopped kernels.
- Melt the red candy melts in a microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth, or use a stovetop method.
- Whisk the cocoa powder and vanilla extract into the melted candy. Add 1–2 teaspoons of neutral oil if the mixture is too thick, aiming for a thin, glossy consistency.
- In batches, toss the popcorn with the red velvet coating until evenly distributed. Spread the coated popcorn in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets. Let it set for about 10–15 minutes until dry to the touch.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Whisk in the powdered sugar, milk, and a pinch of salt until the mixture forms pourable ribbons.
- Drizzle the cream cheese mixture lightly over the set red velvet popcorn.
- Immediately scatter the pretzels or nuts and Halloween candies over the popcorn. Let this set for another 15 minutes.
- Break the popcorn mixture into clusters. Store in an airtight container. If needed, refresh crispness by warming in a 200°F oven for 5–8 minutes.
Notes
- Keep the candy coating thin to ensure the popcorn remains crisp.
- Add delicate candies like candy corn towards the end of the process to prevent them from melting.
- When using real chocolate instead of candy melts, use oil-based coloring to prevent seizing.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute vegan white chocolate chips and vegan cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop, Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg