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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!

Birthday cake popcorn close up

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 was 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.

Ingredients for birthday popcorn

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. 

Gooey birthday cake popcorn

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. 

How to store? Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. 

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.

Cake Batter popcorn close up pic

For more popcorn recipes, check out:

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4.92 from 23 votes

Birthday Cake Popcorn Recipe

By: Lil' Luna
This Birthday Cake Popcorn - this sweet and salty gooey treat has a delicious cake batter flavor that is SO addicting! You can't go wrong with white cake mix, vanilla, marshmallows, butter, and popcorn!!
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 6 cups popcorn popped
  • 3 cups marshmallows
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 cup white cake mix
  • sprinkles
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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!

Nutrition

Calories: 526kcal, Carbohydrates: 110g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 671mg, Potassium: 90mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 58g, Vitamin A: 140IU, Calcium: 194mg, Iron: 2.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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Recipe adapted from The Endless Meal.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




62 Comments

  1. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    This wouLd be A fuN birthday party take hoMe treat. I would have never thought to combine birthday cake with popcorn but It works!

  2. Denise says:

    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,

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      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. 🙂

  3. JC says:

    I am curious what kind of popcorn you use for this recipe. More butter or less butter?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I think I used a lightly salted popcorn 🙂 You could use buttered too, maybe just not the really buttered one. Hope that helps 🙂

  4. Christina says:

    5 stars
    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!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your changes 🙂

  5. Michelle says:

    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.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I’m honestly not sure?? Haven’t done that. One way to find out? 🙂

  6. Kristen says:

    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. ????

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      It’s sticky, so it does stay together! Maybe have it in individual cups/bags? It will be a hit!

  7. Marshall says:

    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!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      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 🙂

  8. Briana says:

    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! 🙂

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      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 🙂

      1. Ernelle says:

        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.

      2. Lil' Luna says:

        How fun!! Yes, it should be ok 🙂 I hope they like it!

  9. Jwells says:

    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!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      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 🙂 Hope you enjoy!! Thank you!

  10. Nicole says:

    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!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      This would be perfect! It shouldn’t turn into a glob 🙂 Let me know what you think! Have fun!