Description
Festive red velvet popcorn with cocoa coating, light cream cheese drizzle, and Halloween candy crunch that stays crisp for hours.
Ingredients
Popcorn, popped – 12 cups
Red candy melts – 10 oz
Cocoa powder, natural – 1–1.5 tbsp
Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Neutral oil (as needed) – 1–2 tsp
Cream cheese, softened – 4 oz
Powdered sugar – 1 cup
Milk – 2–3 tbsp
Fine salt – pinch
Mini pretzels or salted nuts – 1.5 cups
Halloween candies (candy corn or M&Ms) – 1 cup
Instructions
1. Pop 12 cups of popcorn and remove unpopped kernels.
2. Melt candy melts at 50% power in microwave or stovetop; stir until smooth.
3. Whisk in cocoa powder and vanilla extract; thin with neutral oil if needed.
4. Toss half the popcorn with half the coating; repeat with remaining popcorn and coating.
5. Spread coated popcorn on parchment paper; set for 10–15 minutes.
6. Beat cream cheese until smooth; whisk in powdered sugar, milk, and pinch of salt until pourable.
7. Drizzle lightly over popcorn.
8. Add pretzels or nuts and Halloween candies; allow to set 15 minutes.
9. Break into clusters and serve. Store in an airtight container; refresh in 200°F oven for 5–8 minutes if needed.
Notes
Keep candy coating thin to maintain popcorn crunch.
Add candy corn or delicate candies at the end to prevent melting.
Use oil-based coloring with real chocolate to prevent seizing.
For a dairy-free version, use vegan 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
Keywords: Halloween Red Velvet Popcorn, red velvet popcorn recipe, Halloween snack mix, cream cheese drizzle