Go Back
Ube marshmallow popcorn in a pastel pink bowl coated in purple marshmallow with white chocolate drizzle, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles on a marble surface.
Print Pin

Ube Marshmallow Popcorn (Easy Purple Dessert Snack)

This Ube Marshmallow Popcorn is a sweet, chewy dessert snack coated in gooey marshmallow and infused with creamy ube flavor. The vibrant purple popcorn is easy to make in under 20 minutes and perfect for movie nights, party treats, edible gifts, or kawaii dessert spreads. With its soft clusters, tropical vanilla notes, and optional white chocolate drizzle, this ube popcorn recipe is a fun twist on classic marshmallow popcorn that both kids and adults will love.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Filipino-Inspired, Fusion
Keyword easy ube dessert, Filipino ube dessert, fun popcorn recipes, homemade popcorn treat, kawaii dessert snack, marshmallow popcorn recipe, movie night popcorn dessert, party popcorn dessert, purple popcorn recipe, sweet popcorn recipe, ube dessert snack, ube marshmallow popcorn, ube popcorn, ube snack ideas, white chocolate ube popcorn
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 12 cups of popcorn
Calories 150kcal
Cost $6 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large pot or air popper (for popping popcorn)
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium saucepan
  • Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Ingredients

  • 10–12 cups popped popcorn plain, kernels removed
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2–3 tbsp ube halaya or 1 tbsp ube extract + purple food coloring
  • 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk optional but makes it creamy
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt

Optional Mix-Ins (SugarCloud style)

  • White chocolate drizzle
  • Toasted coconut flakes
  • Ube candy pieces
  • Sprinkles
  • Mini marshmallows

Instructions

1️⃣ Prep popcorn

  • Spread popcorn on parchment and remove unpopped kernels.

2️⃣ Melt the marshmallow base

  • In a saucepan over low heat melt:
  • Butter
  • Marshmallows
  • Ube halaya or extract
  • Stir constantly until smooth and glossy.

3️⃣ Add flavor

  • Stir in:
  • Condensed milk
  • Vanilla
  • Pinch salt
  • Color should be soft purple.

4️⃣ Coat popcorn

  • Pour the warm mixture over popcorn.
  • Gently fold until evenly coated.

5️⃣ Finish

  • Spread onto parchment to cool slightly.
  • Add toppings while sticky.
  • Break apart once set.

Notes

  • Use ube halaya for the best flavor and color. Ube extract works well, but halaya gives a richer, more authentic ube dessert taste and creamier marshmallow coating.
  • Remove unpopped kernels before mixing. This prevents hard bites and keeps the texture soft and chewy like classic marshmallow popcorn recipes.
  • Work quickly while the marshmallow mixture is warm. The coating thickens as it cools, so folding immediately helps evenly coat every piece of popcorn.
  • Lightly grease your spatula or hands. Marshmallow popcorn is naturally sticky, and a bit of oil or butter makes mixing and shaping clusters easier.
  • Add mix-ins while sticky. Sprinkles, coconut, candy pieces, or mini marshmallows adhere best before the popcorn sets.
  • For stronger purple color, adjust gradually. A drop or two of purple food coloring can enhance the vibrant kawaii dessert aesthetic without overpowering the ube flavor.
  • Storage tip: Store ube marshmallow popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Texture becomes softer over time, which is normal for marshmallow popcorn snacks.
  • Make it giftable: Package cooled popcorn in jars or treat bags for party favors, edible gifts, or themed dessert boards — this type of ube popcorn recipe travels well.
  • Texture variation: For crunchier clusters, spread the coated popcorn thinly; for chewy clusters, gently press together while cooling.
  • Flavor upgrade: Drizzle white chocolate and extra ube drizzle to create a marbled purple popcorn dessert that performs well on Pinterest and social media.