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    Home » Recipes » Halloween

    White Chocolate Popcorn Skull

    Published: Oct 8, '13 · Modified: Sep 26, '23 · By: Beth Klosterboer · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

    Jump to Recipe

    It's so easy to make a White Chocolate Popcorn Skull using just 3 ingredients. This fun dessert is perfect for a Halloween party dessert or a Halloween gift.

    white chocolate popcorn skull on a black background with loose popcorn on the table.

    The first time I made white chocolate-coated popcorn was in the kitchen of my first candy store back in the late 80's. We spent an entire week experimenting by throwing anything and everything we could find into chocolate.

    Believe me, not everything tastes better in chocolate.

    Fortunately, popcorn does. As soon as we started selling the chocolate-coated snack, it became one of our best sellers.

    popcorn skull on a black and white background.

    Holidays like Halloween were the busiest times in my candy store, and we always sold a lot of popcorn dressed up for the occasion. Usually, that meant just drizzling on holiday colors like orange and black, but sometimes I got much more creative and made things like this popcorn skull.

    Creating shapes is so easy if you use plastic cake pans as a mold. Pouring the popcorn into a mold doesn't take any more time than spreading it on a baking sheet and it takes minutes to decorate them with more chocolate. You can have this skull ready to serve in about 30 minutes.

    white chocolate popcorn skull on a black background.

    White Chocolate Popcorn Skull

    Ingredients

    popcorn

    white candy melts (compound chocolate/confectionery coating)

    dark cocoa candy melts or black candy melts

    Supplies

    1 skull-shaped cake pan - If you can't find the plastic cake pan that I used, you can use a non-stick cake pan. If you use an aluminum cake pan, you'll need to line it with plastic wrap so that the skull will pop out of the mold.

    air popper for the popcorn or a plain brown lunch bag and a microwave

    extra large mixing bowl

    disposable pastry bag or a zip-top bag

    Instructions

    popping popcorn in a brown paper bag in the microwave.

    Pop popcorn.

    Pop ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels in an air popper.

    If you don't have an air popper, then place your kernels in a plain brown lunch bag, fold the top of the bag over a few times, and heat in the microwave on high power for 2-3 minutes until you hear the popping of the kernels slow to one to two pops per second.

    Times will vary because every microwave heats differently.

    a bowl of popped popcorn and a bowl of the un-popped kernels.

    Remove un-popped popcorn kernels.

    However you pop your popcorn, you'll want to place the popped kernels in a very large mixing bowl and discard any unpopped kernels. I shake my bowl, then scoop handfuls of popcorn out into another large mixing bowl. Then all the unpopped kernels and really small pieces of popcorn end up at the bottom of the bowl and are thrown away.

    You can also use a Kernel Katcher Popcorn Sifting Bowl. I've always wanted a sifter that does this and just found these on Amazon. I just might have to add one to my kitchen collection. If you have one, I'd love to hear how well it works.

    making white chocolate popcorn.

    Make white chocolate popcorn.

    See my chocolate making tips page for melting instructions.

    Pour melted and tempered white chocolate or melted white confectionery coating over popcorn. Use a large spatula or spoon to gently fold the popcorn and chocolate just until the popcorn is covered.

    If you stir for too long, the chocolate will begin to harden and you will end up with spikes of chocolate on your popcorn.

    spreading white chocolate popcorn into a plastic skull cake pan.

    Fill the skull cake pan with popcorn.

    Quickly spoon the white chocolate popcorn into the skull mold, pressing down, making sure the top is level.

    Refrigerate if using white chocolate, freeze if using confectionery coating, until set, about 15 minutes.

    un-molding the popcorn skull from the cake pan.

    Unmold.

    To un-mold, hold your hand over the popcorn, turn the mold upside down, and set it just above your work surface, press gently on the mold, and allow the popcorn skull to fall out.

    If it won't release from the mold, it may need a few more minutes of chilling time.

    piping chocolate eyes, nose, and mouth onto a white chocolate popcorn skull.

    Pipe chocolate details.

    Pour melted and tempered dark chocolate or melted dark cocoa candy melts into a disposable pastry bag or zip-top bag.

    Snip off one tip.

    Pipe on eyes, nose, and mouth.

    Refrigerate for 7-10 minutes until set.

    popcorn skull made with white chocolate popcorn.

    Storage

    You can keep this covered in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days.

    To keep it longer, place it in a large metal popcorn tin. It will keep up to 3 weeks if stored in an airtight tin.

    Related Recipes

    If you have fun making a popcorn skull, you might also enjoy making these other skull-shaped treats.

    skull cookies Nutter Butter skulls.

    Skull Cookies

    Cakesicle Skulls - skull shaped cake pops created using a silicone popsicle mold.

    Cakesicle Skulls

    Sugar Skull Brownies for a Day of the Dead Party or Halloween Party

    Brownie Skulls

    Be sure to check out all of my Halloween recipes. You'll find more skull-themed recipes and many more appetizer and dessert ideas.

    Recipe

    white chocolate popcorn skull on a black background with loose popcorn on the table.
    Print
    White Chocolate Popcorn Skull
    Prep Time
    30 mins
    Total Time
    30 mins
     

    Make White Chocolate Popcorn in the shape of a skull. This is a creepy dessert to serve for Halloween or the Day of the Dead.

    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Halloween
    Keyword: halloween popcorn, popcorn skull, white chocolate popcorn
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 322 kcal
    Author: Beth Klosterboer
    Ingredients
    • ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
    • 16 ounces melted and tempered white chocolate or melted white confectionery coating*
    • 4 ounces melted and tempered dark chocolate or melted dark cocoa or black confectionery coating*
    Equipment Needed:
    • 1 skull shaped plastic cake pan or non-stick metal pan
    • air popper for the popcorn or a plain brown lunch bag and a microwave
    • extra large mixing bowl
    • disposable pastry bag or a zip top bag
    Instructions
    1. Pop ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels in an air popper.

    2. Place the popped kernels in a very large mixing bowl and discard any unpopped kernels. You should have about 9 cups of popped popcorn.

    3. Pour the melted white chocolate over the popcorn.

    4. Use a large spatula or spoon to gently fold the popcorn and chocolate just until the popcorn is covered.

    5. Quickly spoon the white chocolate popcorn into the skull mold, pressing down, making sure the top is level.

    6. Refrigerate if using white chocolate, freeze if using confectionery coating, until set, about 15 minutes.

    7. To un-mold, hold your hand over the popcorn, turn the mold upside down, and set just above your work surface.

    8. Press gently on the mold and allow the popcorn skull to fall out. If it won't release from the mold, it may need a few more minutes of chilling time.

    9. Pour melted and tempered dark chocolate or melted dark cocoa candy melts into a disposable pastry bag or zip-top bag.

    10. Snip off one tip.

    11. Pipe on eyes, nose and mouth.

    12. Refrigerate for 7-10 minutes until set.

    Recipe Notes

    If you don't have an air popper, then place your kernels in a plain brown lunch bag, fold the top of the bag over a few times, and heat in the microwave on high power for 2-3 minutes until you hear the popping of the kernels slow to one to two pops per second.

    Serve the skull within two days or store it in a large metal popcorn tin for up to 3 weeks.

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth Klosterboer
    Beth Klosterboer
    Hi, I'm Beth Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth Klosterboer
    Latest posts by Beth Klosterboer (see all)
    • Gingerbread Cookie Cups - December 2, 2023
    • Cheeseburger Skulls - October 15, 2023
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    More Halloween Recipes and Fun Party Food - Over 100 Cute & Creepy Ideas

    • cheeseburger skull on a skull-shaped homemade hamburger bun.
      Cheeseburger Skulls
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    About Beth Klosterboer

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Alexis Tanner

      October 15, 2013 at 10:33 pm

      This is such a fun idea! So cute and sounds so good! I'm featuring this tonight at my link party and pinning!

      Reply
      • beth

        October 15, 2013 at 10:53 pm

        Thank you so much for featuring these on your blog:)

        Reply
    2. Tiffany

      October 12, 2013 at 3:25 am

      Super cute! Thanks for such detailed directions, I am really visual so the pictures help!
      Tiffany

      Reply
    3. Michelle | Creative Food

      October 11, 2013 at 12:48 pm

      So awesome!!

      Reply
    4. Diana - FreeStyleMama

      October 11, 2013 at 2:14 am

      Very cool!!

      Reply
    5. Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud

      October 11, 2013 at 12:08 am

      Ghoulishly cool! I love it:@)

      Reply
    6. Heather - Chickabug

      October 10, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      I'm sure party guests would get a kick out of this. So cute! I love all of your Halloween treats! Keep 'em coming! : )

      Reply
    7. Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com

      October 09, 2013 at 12:13 pm

      Yum! Great idea...my boys would love this!

      Reply
    8. The Bearfoot Baker

      October 08, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      Chocoalte and popcorn is wonderful tA skull is a really cute way to make it for Halloween! Thanks for the tutorial 🙂

      Reply
      • beth

        October 08, 2013 at 7:11 pm

        It is one of my favorite flavor combinations!

        Reply
    9. Anonymous

      October 08, 2013 at 5:09 pm

      Girl, your a genius. My bff Husband bought me a skull cake pan last year. It was to late for halloween but now I can use it. I can make this in 3-D and maybe make it a pinata
      skull. Maybe even use rice krispes instead. You are so smart, talented and a designing
      genius. Thanks, Trish Butler

      Reply
      • beth

        October 08, 2013 at 7:11 pm

        I have the 3-D pan too and will be making some for our party this year. I'm actually just finishing up a recipe made in the smaller 3-D skull pan and will be doing a giveaway!

        Reply
    10. Lisa@hooplapalooza

      October 08, 2013 at 3:24 pm

      how awesome is this?!?! i would love to make one and sneak it into the movies as a snack. now to buy a large purse...

      Reply
      • beth

        October 08, 2013 at 7:10 pm

        Sounds like a great idea. I always sneak food into the movies:)

        Reply
    11. The Partiologist

      October 08, 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Seriously love popcorn and chocolate, in fact that's my favorite way to eat it! And I'm pretty sure I could eat
      that entire skull! 🙂 And then I would eat that skull pizza... just sayin!

      Reply
      • beth

        October 08, 2013 at 7:12 pm

        I'm sure I could too and I love that pizza recipe. It actually won a recipe contest. It is great!

        Reply

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    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

    Read more about me →

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    Buy my cookbooks

    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

    Read more about me →

    Popular

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      Giant Peanut Butter Cup
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    • Amaretto hot chocolate bombs are filled with amaretto infused chocolate ganache and marshmallows
      Boozy Hot Chocolate Bombs
    • This winter get crafty in the kitchen by making some sweet and salty snowmen pretzels. Each Chocolate Pretzel Snowman Craft couldn't be cuter with their orange carrot noses and snowflake topped hats. They make perfect Christmas treats and wintertime snacks.
      Chocolate Pretzel Snowman Craft
    • It's easy and fun to make homemade gummy candy and they can be customized for any holiday or occasion. Make red and green gummy bears, worms and fish for Christmas.
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