Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare Your Workspace
- Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it completely with wax paper. This ensures easy removal and clean-up.
Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a very large bowl, combine your plain popcorn and Lucky Charms cereal. Set this mixture aside.
Melt the Marshmallows
- Over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan until liquid. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth. Immediately remove from heat to prevent hardening.
Infuse the Flavor and Color
- Once removed from heat, add 1/2 teaspoon non-alcoholic Irish cream extract and a few drops of green gel food coloring to the warm marshmallow mixture. Stir until fully combined and the mixture achieves a vibrant green hue.
Coat the Popcorn
- Pour the green marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and cereal in the large bowl. Using a sturdy silicone spatula (lightly buttered if preferred), fold everything together gently but thoroughly until every piece is well coated and sticky.
Decorate and Dry
- Pour the coated popcorn mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle the mint M&Ms and St. Patrick's Day themed sprinkles generously over the top. Allow your creation to dry completely at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes for a quicker set.
Enjoy Your Treat
- Once dry, break the Loaded Leprechaun Popcorn into pieces and serve.
Nutrition
Notes
For optimal freshness, store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Greasing your spatula helps prevent stickiness, and using gel food coloring ensures vibrant color. Avoid overcooking marshmallows for a soft, gooey texture. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.