Valentine's Funfetti Popcorn

Kid's have a school party?  Want to make something for your babe?

This snack covers all the bases.

I figured it was time around these parts to do a fun food post and with the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday upon us what better time than to make a cool snack.

When Gimbal's Fine Candies contacted me last week, with samples soon to follow on my door stop, I just knew I had to incorporate them somehow.  My kid's love popcorn and let's be honest they LOVE any form of candy {much to my dismay}, so why not combine the two?

After this snack was made I promptly packaged up half of it and delivered to some friends in town with little kids.  I just could not trust myself with it sitting on the counter before me.

It's dangerous.

Gimbal's is located in San Francisco {a four generation company dating back to 1898} and while I have no connection with them other than them finding me, golly that city has been on my list to visit for a long time.

Along with Key West, Denver, New York City, Nashville, Seattle, Savannah and so many more.  I'm not really sure where I'm going with this other than letting you know my travel bucket list....but San Francisco is on top of that list.

I really want to sit on those Full House front steps and get my photo taken.

And when I go I'll find that original Gimbal's store and buy myself a bag of their cherry {made with real cherry juice} and cinnamon chews {made with real cinnamon oil}.  I decided I liked them both equally.  So naturally, I put both of them in this holiday mix.

I wanted to actually coat this popcorn in something...and not let it be just another snack mix, you know?  Sometimes you've got to spark things up a bit.  We've all had our fair share of the traditional popcorn, peanuts and M&M mix.

Booooooooooring.

I whipped up a mixture of melted white chocolate chips with coconut oil and wait for it.....vanilla pudding mix.  It mellows out the white chocolate and gives the whole coating a smooth, vanilla flavor.

Then of course I added corn chew cereal to increase the crunchiness and Valentine M&M's. This mix is busy.  There is no lack of boring here.

Valentine's Funfetti Popcorn

Print this Recipe!

6 cups popped popcorn

2 cups corn chex cereal

1 1/2 c. white chocolate chips

1/4 c. coconut oil {or any light oil}

1 box instant vanilla pudding mix

handfuls of add-in's: M&M's, Gimbal's candies or candy of choice

1.  In a bowl place popcorn and corn chex cereal.

2.  In a microwave safe bowl combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil.  Melt in 25 second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.

3.  Add in the dry pudding mix and stir until smooth.  Pour over the popcorn/cereal mix and toss to coat.

4.  Sprinkle in the add-in's and pour the mixture on pieces of wax paper to cool and harden, about 15 minutes.

5.  Break up by hand and keep in an air tight container to stay fresh.

What do you do for Valentine's Day?  Love it?  Hate it?  Don't give a hoot?

I'm kind of in the middle.

I could take it or leave it.

But I do love that it gives me an excuse for candy.

So there.