This sweet and salty Birthday Cake Popcorn has a delicious cake batter flavor that is SO addicting! You can’t go wrong with white cake mix, vanilla, marshmallows, butter, and popcorn!!
Popcorn is must-have treat at parties and functions, so take it up a notch by making it cake flavored! This recipe is gooey and as addicting as our gooey caramel popcorn. We know you’ll love it!
Cake Batter Popcorn Gooey-ness
We have movie night every Friday as a family, and we love to have some yummy treat to go with it.
This past week, we made Birthday Cake Popcorn, and it wasย delicious!! It is gooey and had sprinkles and was a hit with all of the kids in the family.
It was also very simple to make, so you better believe we will be making this again.
Tips + Tricks
For making birthday cake popcorn:
- I add dry cake mix to the mixture, not prepared.
- This popcorn is sticky and can be a little messy (but so worth it) just keep this in mind when serving it.
- Use a lightly salted, plain or a lightly buttered popcorn for this recipe. I would avoid using a really buttered popcorn.
To make into popcorn balls: After the popcorn is completely coated, lightly grease your hands or get them wet and pack the popcorn into ball shapes. You will want to re-wet or re-grease (lightly) between each popcorn ball. This will help the popcorn from sticking.ย
Popcorn FAQ
Can this be made in advance? This popcorn is definitely best eaten soon after it is made. If you want to make it in advance I would suggest making it as close to when it will be eaten as possible but no more than 2 days ahead of time. After it is made, store it in an airtight container until ready to serve. You can also make them into individual servings and store in ziplock bags, just try to squeeze as much air out as you can.ย
How to store?ย Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.ย
How to make for a crowd? If you are wanting to make this popcorn for a crowd and you’re worried about the sticky mess, just divide the popcorn into individual servings or have the guests scoop the popcorn out with a large serving spoon or measuring cup.
For more popcorn recipes, check out:
Birthday Cake Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6 cups popcorn popped
- 3 cups marshmallows
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 cup white cake mix
- sprinkles
Instructions
Take kernels out from popcorn and pour into a bowl.
- In a medium pot, melt marshmallows and butter on medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Once marshmallows are completely melted, remove from heat and add vanilla, milk and cake mix. Stir until well combined and pour over popcorn.
- Stir until the popcorn is evenly coated and top with sprinkles. Let set. ENJOY!
Recipe adapted from The Endless Meal.
This looks like such a fun recipe! My daughter’s birthday is this week and I will be surprising her with this recipe!
This is so fun! I bet my kids would LOVE it!
My daughter is never going to eat plain popcorn again!! This is a great idea, and perfect for birthday parties!
It is actually my husband’s birthday this week, and i think this would make the perfect treat when he comes home from work one night!
Oooh, look at that gooey deliciousness! Looks fab!
Oh my goodness, I think I could devour this entire bowl!
Your little daughter is just adorable. I can imagine how much she (and everyone else) loves this sweet treat!
This is such a fun recipe and perfect for family movie nights. Thanks for the recipe ๐
Of course! Thanks for stopping by! ๐
So is that dry white cake mix? Or Cake mix with milk or water added to it?
It is the dry mix, that you add to the melted marshmallows and butter, then you’ll add the cake mix, vanilla, and milk. It is the tastiest popcorn ever!! Hope you like it!
Vanilla extract or vanilla icing? I have an upcoming 4th of July / birthday party coming up & want to make this with red, white, & blue star shaped sprinkes for the kiddos (if it makes it to the table ๐
Vanilla extract:) Haha..yes, good luck not eating it first!! It’s delish! Thanks for stopping by!!
This looks soooo tasty! We are heading out on a family RV trip and I was thinking about bringing this. Is it something you have to eat fresh, or will it harden into an inedible glob if I make and bag it in advance?
Thanks!
This would be perfect! It shouldn’t turn into a glob ๐ Let me know what you think! Have fun!
This looks so yummy! Have you made it a day or so early? How early could I make it and store it for later use? Does it get hard when it cools? Thanks so much!
I’ve made it the morning of, but not any earlier. It doesn’t get hard. I’m sure a day a head will be ok ๐ Hope you enjoy!! Thank you!
Hey! I have two questions. Do you think I would be able to use a different cake mix (like chocolate for example. Have you tried that?) And how messy is this? I was thinking for a game night but I don’t want people to be sticking to the pieces. Thanks in advance! ๐
It is messy and sticky and I haven’t tried chocolate, but it sure is a hit. It might have to be the treat for after the games ๐
Hi want to make this for my daughter sleepover, but I will like to prep and make it a day in advance and put it in clear favor bags tied up. Would it be fine.
How fun!! Yes, it should be ok ๐ I hope they like it!
Hi! This looks great. I’ve been considering making it as an end of the year treat for my students. Do you have an estimate of how many “servings” this would yield?
Thanks!
It just depends on how much you are giving them. You’ll probably want to double/triple the recipe for sure. I wish I knew an exact amount, I’m sorry. They will love it, though ๐
Does this stay clumped together (more like popcorn balls) or separate more? I’m trying to decide if I should make this for a 8 adult movie party or if it would be too awkward to self serve and share.
Either way I’ll be making this soon. Looks awesome. ????
It’s sticky, so it does stay together! Maybe have it in individual cups/bags? It will be a hit!
Do you think this can be shipped via priority mail for a gift? My niece is going to college in Colorado and would love this.
I’m honestly not sure?? Haven’t done that. One way to find out? ๐
I tried out your birthday cake popcorn for my son’s birthday party, and it was a hit! I’m going to post a photo of it on my brand new website (it’s only got a few posts so far). I’ll make sure to credit you with a link so they can check out your awesomeness (they=my future fans).
I actually used light butter. It was recommended I not do it on the actual Rice Krispy site, but I learned a trick….if you do the melting part super, duper slowly, it will turn out just fine with light butter.
I’ll be using real butter next time though! I’m all finished with my light and fat free phase!
Yay!! Glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your changes ๐
I am curious what kind of popcorn you use for this recipe. More butter or less butter?
I think I used a lightly salted popcorn ๐ You could use buttered too, maybe just not the really buttered one. Hope that helps ๐
This looks really fun. How long does the popcorn last. I was thinking of doing this for a graduation party and making it ahead of time. So, was wondering if I could make it a couple of days ahead.
Thank you,
I wouldn’t do it more than a couple days ahead. I haven’t made them even that far in advance, but it should still be fine. ๐
This wouLd be A fuN birthday party take hoMe treat. I would have never thought to combine birthday cake with popcorn but It works!
Gooey & so delicious!! This was super easy to make & a great way to add even more greatness to popcorn. My family loved it!
Such a perfect summer treat! This was gobbled up quickly!
Turned out delicious – so chewy and everyone loved how cute it looked!
If your wanting to make your popcorn special….this is your recipe. A great addition to any party!
WOw this is the cutest popcorn i have ever seen. I don’ t have little kids in my house anymore but my teenagers loved it!