Birthday Popcorn!

For my baby's first birthday this past weekend we had a Minnie Mouse theme. Everything was in various shades of pink.  The Menu:  make your own Minnie sandwiches, "Minnie" quiches, crudité with hummus, a huge pile of strawberries, cupcakes and ice cream, and piled high in trifle bowl, pink popcorn. the popcorn was SO easy to make and super tasty. One of my friend said it reminded of her the Mother's brand Circus Animal cookies - both in color and flavor. it is a lovely concoction of salty, sweet and crunchy. I made two batches and combined them in one big bowl for a fun festive look.

INGREDIENTS:
1 bag of microwave popcorn (I used Orville Redenbacher's Naturals, Simply Salted)
6 oz. white candy melts (1/2 a bag)
gel food coloring
1 t. coconut oil (or vegetable shortening if you don't like / have coconut oil)
candy sprinkles

EQUIPMENT:
Rimmed cookie sheet
Silicone baking mat or parchment
Microwave safe bowl

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Pop the popcorn and spread out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2)  Cook candy melts in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat, microwaving for 20 seconds at a time until smooth. Add 1 to 2 drops of the gel food coloring plus coconut oil and stir until the food coloring is completely mixed in.

NOTE:  If you are using colored candy melts you do not need to add the coconut oil and food coloring.  Only add the coconut oil if you are adding additional water based liquid, like flavored extracts or food coloring - this will ensure a smooth consistency).

3)  Pour the melted candy melt mixture over your popcorn. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to coat all of the popcorn with the candy melt mixture. I found it much easier to control the popcorn by using my hands - candy melt mixture is warm but will not burn you.
4)  Sprinkle your favorite candy sprinkles or colored sugar. Toss the mixture and sprinkle again to ensure the sprinkles get on every piece of popcorn.
5)  Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes.  You can now dig in! The popcorn will stay fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

You could easily change up colors and flavors using any combination of color food coloring, extract flavors, and sprinkles.