Valentine’s Day Popcorn Pops

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and, honestly, I could use a little love after our dreary January!  

If you are looking for a fun and easy Valentine’s Day treat, make up a batch of these Valentine’s Day popcorn pops.  Shape them into whatever design you would like, and then just add a stick.  {We all know that everything is better when it is on a stick, right?}

Ingredients

• 8 cups popped popcorn {this is approximately 5 tbsp. of unpopped kernals}
• 3 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• red food coloring
• 3/4 -1 cup Smarties {these are the Canadian Smarties which are similar to M&Ms in the States!}

 

 

Directions

• Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl {I actually ended up using 2 bowls so I had more mixing space}
• Heat the marshmallows, butter, and salt in a large heavy saucepan over medium to low heat stirring continuously until the marshmallows are melted.  Add food coloring by drops to make your desired pink color.  I just wanted mine a faint pink so I only used about 5-6 drops.
• Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn gradually, mixing it well.  You can use a greased spoon to do this but I found that it was easiest to grease my hands with butter to mix. {The butter should help to protect your hands from the heat but make sure it is not too hot!} Add the candy.
• Shape into balls or use a heart shaped cookie cutter if you would like to do hearts.  If you are using the cookie cutter, grease the inner borders and press the popcorn inside the cookie cutter until your shape is formed. Press popcorn firmly together once the cookie cutter is removed to hold.
• Insert sucker sticks.  For mine I used the basic sucker stick and then added a paper straw over top of it to give it extra strength.
• Wrap each ball in plastic wrap.  Makes approximately 8 {3 inch diameter} balls.

There are lots of fun ways that you could package them up – add some baker’s twine, tie them up in a cellophane bag, or add a cupcake liner and some washi tape!  Feel free to get creative – I always find that the packaging is the best part! 🙂

If you would like any of the printables,  just download them below…

DOWNLOAD THE POPCORN TAGS HERE

DOWNLOAD THE HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TAGS HERE

For more Valentine’s Day ideas, check out these posts…

Valentine’s Day Ice Cream Love Hearts

Fun and Healthy Valentine’s Day Food Ideas

Valentine’s Day Chalkboard and Photo Bunting