Little Mermaid Popcorn

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 10 cups plain popped popcorn (about 1/3 cup kernels, or 1 bag plain microwave popcorn), unpopped kernels removed
• 1 cup mini pretzel twists or sticks
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 4 oz (113 g) teal or aqua candy melts
• 4 oz (113 g) purple or lavender candy melts
• 4 oz (113 g) pink candy melts
• 1/2 tsp coconut oil or vegetable shortening, divided, only if needed to thin the candy
• 1/4 cup pearl or mermaid-themed sprinkles

How to make Little Mermaid popcorn

1. Step 1.

   Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pick out any unpopped kernels and half-popped pieces from the popcorn.

2. Step 2.

   Spread the popcorn, pretzels and marshmallows in a single layer on the baking sheet, mixing them lightly by hand.

3. Step 3.

   Melt each color of candy melts separately in small microwave-safe bowls at 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth. Stir in a quarter teaspoon of coconut oil only if a color looks thick.

4. Step 4.

   Working with one color at a time, scoop the melted candy into a zip-top bag and snip a small corner, or use a spoon. Drizzle back and forth across the popcorn in thin zigzags. Repeat with the other two colors, coming from different directions so the colors overlap.

5. Step 5.

   Scatter the sprinkles over the popcorn right away, while the candy is still wet.

6. Step 6.

   Let the mix set at room temperature for 20 minutes, or refrigerate for 10 minutes, until the candy is completely firm.

7. Step 7.

   Break the popcorn into clusters and toss gently. Serve in bowls or fill small treat bags.

Drizzle instead of coating

Many candy-coated popcorn recipes toss the popcorn in a full layer of melted coating. That is sweet and sticky, and it softens the popcorn as the coating cools. A drizzle covers only part of each piece, so the popcorn stays crunchy, the colors stay visible and the mix is lighter. Three colors layered in zigzags also give you the marbled, ocean-like look that a single flat color cannot.

Why candy melts rather than tinted white chocolate

Candy melts are a ready-made, ready-colored coating that melts smoothly and sets firm at room temperature, with no tempering. White chocolate can be colored, but only with oil-based or powder food coloring, because water-based coloring makes it seize into a stiff, grainy mass, and the finished color is usually paler. If you prefer the flavor of real white chocolate, tint it with oil-based or powder color, but candy melts give brighter results with much less risk.

Start with dry, plain popcorn

Popcorn made with butter or a lot of oil has a film of fat that stops the candy from sticking. Air-popped popcorn or a stovetop batch with a little neutral oil works well, and plain microwave popcorn is fine as long as you pick a version without butter. Skip any pieces that are chewy or half popped. They will not crisp up, and unpopped kernels are a hazard, especially for small children.

Melting candy melts

Melt each color separately, at 50 percent power and stirring between bursts, because candy melts scorch and thicken when overheated. A quarter teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening thins a color that has gotten thick. Do not add water or liquid food coloring; a drop of water makes the melts seize. If one color firms up while you work, return it to the microwave for 10 seconds.

Timing the sprinkles

Sprinkles only stick while the candy is wet, so scatter them immediately after you finish drizzling, not after setting. Pearl sprinkles and mini marshmallows give the mix its sea-foam look. If you cannot find mermaid-themed sprinkles, a mix of white and pastel pearls works as well.

Party use and storage

Break the mix into clusters, serve it in a big bowl or pack it in clear treat bags tied with ribbon. Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 3 days, after which the popcorn begins to lose its crunch. Keep it out of warm rooms and away from direct sun, as candy melts soften with heat.

Variations

Different palette: any three candy melt colors will do. Blue, white and silver is a good choice for a winter or ocean theme.

Extra crunch: replace the marshmallows with candy-coated chocolate pieces or additional pretzels.