Copycat LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn Recipe

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If you’re anything like me, you absolutely adore the sweet, salty, and utterly fluffy combination this flavor delivers. It’s the perfect movie night companion or a charming addition to any holiday platter.Join me as make a homemade version of LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn.

What Is LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn?

LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn is an organic, flavored popcorn product known for combining sweet flavors with clean ingredients.

Ingredients:

For the Popcorn:

• 1/2 cup Organic Popcorn Kernels (air-popped is best for lightness)1
• 1 tablespoon Organic Coconut Oil (for stove-top popping, or use an air-popper)
• 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or Fine Sea Salt

For the White Chocolate Marshmallow Coating:

• 8 ounces (about 1 1/3 cups) High-Quality White Chocolate Chips or Chopped Bar (make sure it contains cocoa butter, not just palm oil)
• 1 cup Mini Marshmallows (Vegan/Dairy-Free if required, to mimic LesserEvil’s qualities)
• 2 tablespoons Organic Coconut Oil (this helps smooth the melting chocolate)
• 1/4 cup Organic Powdered Sugar (optional, for a final dust that helps prevent sticking)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions To Make LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn:

Pop the Corn:

1. Pop the Kernels: Use your preferred method to pop the kernels.
2. Air-Popper: Use an air-popper for the fluffiest, lightest result.
3. Stove-Top: Heat the 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 kernels and cover. Once they pop, add the remaining kernels, cover, and shake the pot constantly until the popping slows down to several seconds between pops.
4. Cool and Separate: Pour the popped corn onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it cool completely. Crucially, remove all unpopped kernels (“old maids”) and any partially popped pieces to ensure a pleasant texture in the final product.

Prepare the Marshmallow-Chocolate Mixture:

1. Melt the Chocolate Base: Set up a double boiler (a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water—the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl) Add the white chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the bowl.
2. Smooth Drizzle: Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Remove the bowl from the heat.
3. Fold in Marshmallows: Stir in the 1 cup of mini marshmallows and the vanilla extract. The heat from the melted chocolate will slightly soften and melt the marshmallows, creating a sticky, gooey, and thick coating mixture. Work quickly here, as the mixture will start to set as it cools.

Coat and Set:

1. Combine: Pour the warm white chocolate marshmallow mixture over the cooled popcorn spread out on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Mix Thoroughly: Using a large spatula or (for best results) clean hands, gently but quickly toss the popcorn until every piece is evenly coated with the thick white drizzle.
3. Season: While the popcorn is still wet, sprinkle the 1/2 teaspoon of salt over the mix.
4. Dust (Optional): If the mixture seems too sticky or you want a slightly more matte finish, dust the popcorn with the 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and give it one final, gentle toss.
5. Set: Spread the coated popcorn back into a single layer on the parchment paper. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, until the coating is firm and dry to the touch.
6. Break Apart: Once fully set, break the popcorn into small, individual, bite-sized pieces.

Pro Tips LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn Quality:

• Quality White Chocolate is Key: Cheap white chocolate often contains more sugar and palm oil substitutes than actual cocoa butter, resulting in a waxy, inferior texture. Look for a brand where cocoa butter is listed as the primary fat for the best melt and flavor.
• Remove Old Maids: Taking the time to pick out every unpopped kernel is critical for a pleasant eating experience. A stray, hard kernel can ruin the fluffy enjoyment.
• Work Fast: The white chocolate marshmallow mixture sets up quickly. Ensure your popcorn is completely ready, and you have your large bowl and parchment paper ready before you start melting the chocolate.
• Use Air-Popped: While stove-top works, air-popping ensures the kernels are dry, light, and perfectly receptive to the thick coating, mimicking the airy texture of the store-bought version.
• Storage: Store the finished popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

What To Serve LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn With

Beverage Pairings (The Perfect Sip):

• Hot Cocoa or Coffee: This is a classic, cozy pairing. A mug of rich hot chocolate (perhaps spiced with cinnamon or a dash of mint) enhances the dessert quality. At the same time, a latte or espresso provides a bitter counterpoint that cleanses the palate.
• Milk (Dairy or Plant-Based): Simple, cold milk is a nostalgic choice that perfectly complements the marshmallow flavor, much like dunking a cookie.
• Red Wine (Sweet or Dessert): For a sophisticated pairing, try a glass of Moscato d’Asti (lightly fizzy and sweet) or a chilled Late Harvest Zinfandel to match the dessert notes.
• Stout or Porter Beer: The roasted, often chocolatey, notes of a good stout or a vanilla porter offer a complex, slightly bitter contrast that is wonderful with white chocolate.

Savory and Salty Counterparts (The Flavor Balance):

• Sharp Cheddar: The sharpness and saltiness of an aged cheddar are excellent for cutting the sweetness.
• Blue Cheese: A bold blue cheese, like Gorgonzola, provides a pungent, creamy contrast that makes the popcorn taste even sweeter.
• Prosciutto or Salami: Thinly sliced, salty cured meats are a perfect foil for the sugary coating.
• Simple Nuts: A small bowl of plain, roasted, and lightly salted almonds or pecans offers a dose of healthy fat and a simple salty crunch that contrasts with the processed sugar coating.
• Warm Pretzels: Serving small, soft, and slightly salted pretzel bites (perhaps with a simple mustard dip) adds a warm, savory bread flavor to the mix.

Fresh And Tart Additions (The Bright Pop):

• Fresh Berries: A bowl of raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries provides a lovely tartness and juicy texture that cuts through the white chocolate and marshmallow.
• Citrus Zest Drizzle: If using the popcorn as a topping for ice cream or yogurt, a drizzle of lemon or orange zest can brighten the entire flavor profile of the LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn.
• Green Grapes: Cold, crisp green grapes offer an intense, sweet-tart burst of juice that cleanses the palate beautifully.

Texture Enhancers (The Mix-In Magic):

• Sweet Snack Mix: Combine the popcorn with mini peanut butter cups, small chocolate-covered pretzels, or holiday-themed M&M’s for an over-the-top, festive dessert mix.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Topping: Sprinkle the popcorn generously over a scoop of high-quality vanilla or salted caramel ice cream for an instant textural crunch and flavor boost.
• Yogurt Parfait Layer: Use the popcorn as a crunchy layer between Greek yogurt and tart cherry or cranberry compote for a fun breakfast or lighter dessert.

Substitute Ingredients For Making LesserEvil White Chocolate Marshmallow Popcorn:

Popcorn Kernel Substitutes:

Standard Yellow Popcorn Kernels:

• Works the same as organic kernels.
• Cheaper and widely available.

White Popcorn Kernels:

• Lighter and more tender.
• Closer to LesserEvil’s “light crunch.”

Already-popped plain popcorn:

• Sea-salt popcorn
• Plain bagged popcorn
• Low-oil popcorn
• Avoid buttered popcorn it clashes with the white chocolate coating.

Coconut Oil Substitutes:

Refined Coconut Oil:

• Same behavior but neutral taste.
• Perfect if you don’t want coconut flavor.

Palm Kernel Oil

• Common and stable in hot climates (like West Africa).
• Gives a similar crisp melt.

Shea Butter (food-grade):

• Adds a slight nutty aroma.
• Works surprisingly well in candy coatings.

Unflavored Vegetable Oil

• Sunflower oil
• Canola oil
• Vegetable blend
• Light, neutral, easy to find, but does not harden like coconut oil, so add a little extra white chocolate to compensate.

Butter + Coconut oil (50/50):

• Adds richness but still lets the coating firm up.

White Chocolate Substitutes

White Compound Chocolate:

• Often cheaper.
• Melts easily.
• Sold in the baking sections of many supermarkets.

Milk Chocolate + Milk Powder:

• ½ cup melted milk chocolate
• 2–3 tbsp powdered milk
• Creates a creamy “white chocolate–style” sweetness.

Cocoa Butter + Powdered Sugar + Milk Powder:

DIY white chocolate mix:

• ⅓ cup melted cocoa butter
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch (optional thickener)

Vanilla Candy Melts:

• Easiest melting option.
• Sweet, creamy, close to marshmallow-white chocolate flavor.

Vegan White Chocolate:

• If avoiding dairy.
• Made with coconut oil + cocoa butter + sugar.

Marshmallow Substitutes:

Marshmallow Fluff / Creme:

• Smooth, melts easily,
• Creates a light coating similar to LesserEvil’s texture.

Honey + Sugar Syrup Mix:

• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tbsp water
• Heat until slightly thick.
• Sweet, glossy, binds to popcorn.

Final Thoughts

Now, you possess the secret to recreating that beloved flavor at home, ensuring you have a perfect bowl of sweet, salty, and airy popcorn whenever the craving hits. 

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