This Cake Batter Popcorn is sweet, crunchy, and loaded with sprinkles! We toss the popcorn in melted chocolate and an actual cake mix for a true cake batter flavor experience!
Cake Batter Popcorn
One of my family’s favorite treats is cake-batter-flavored ice cream from Coldstone Creamery®. Toss in some crumbled cookies and hot fudge and be prepared to have a new dessert addiction!
It may sound strange (I was certainly skeptical), but a friend recommended this combo, and we can’t get enough of it –it’s ridiculously tasty.
So after making this Oreo popcorn, cake batter-flavored popcorn came to mind next. So now all that is left to try is combining both the Oreo and Cake Batter Popcorn to see if we can rival that ice cream combo in popcorn form instead!
This popcorn is very sweet — just like a big spoonful of cake batter is. It’s such a fun variation on movie theatre popcorn or coated chocolate popcorn. If you love popcorn and love all things cake batter flavored, you are going to be obsessed with this recipe!
What Popcorn To Use in this Cake Batter Popcorn
Store-bought popcorn shortcut. Purchasing already popped popcorn makes this recipe come together a lot quicker and easier, but it’s a bit more spendy. If you’d rather pop your own, here’s what we use. Make sure to let popped corn cool completely before using it in this Cake Batter Popcorn recipe. Whatever popcorn you use, check the ingredient list to make sure the only ingredients being added to the popcorn is oil and salt. Purchasing a flavored or buttered popcorn will make this popcorn taste “off”.
Let’s chat cake mix
Cake mix is one of the ingredients in this Cake Batter Popcorn. While normally, the cake mix is heated to a high temperature during the course of baking it, and that kills any potential bacteria that may be in the flour, this popcorn isn’t baked, so that means it contains “raw” flour. If you are concerned about this, I recommend heat treating the cake mix to ensure any potential bacteria are killed. There are two options for heat-treating your mix.
- Use the microwave: Add the cake mix to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between each burst. Take your time stirring well to make sure none of the mixture burns. Use a thermometer to test the mixture in a few places to make sure it has reached 165 degrees F throughout all the mixture. If you get less than 165 degrees, return the flour for another burst of 30 seconds.
- Or treat it in the oven: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. and line a large sheet pan (with sides) with a nonstick liner or parchment paper. Spread the cake mix on the pan and bake, removing and stirring the mix every 1 and 1/2 minutes. Every time you remove the cake mix to stir, test it with the thermometer. As soon as it reaches 165 degrees F, it’s safe to use in the recipe.
- If heat treating, let the mix cool completely before using it. Place the pan with the cake mix in the fridge or freezer to quickly bring it to room temperature.
- Discard any discolored sections of cake mix, and break up any clumps as they will make the popcorn taste burnt. We want the heat-treated cake mix to look just like it did before heat treating it — the appearance shouldn’t change at all.
Quick Tip
Our favorite cake mix to use in this Cake Batter Popcorn is Betty Crocker® Super Moist Rainbow Chip cake mix (not sponsored). We’ve also tested this recipe with a Funfetti® (by Pillsbury) cake mix and enjoyed that as well!
Cake Batter Popcorn Chocolate Melting Tips
- Use high-quality chocolate chips for a better melt and a richer taste. My favorite is Ghirardelli® or Guittard® (not sponsored). Cheaper brands of white chocolates are more resistant to melting and can often have a waxy flavor. We don’t love using almond bark in this Cake Batter Popcorn since it’s not nearly as flavorful. Almond bark is artificial chocolate made with vegetable fats instead of the cocoa butter that is in real chocolate.
- Microwave the chocolate chips in sturdy, heat–safe bowls instead of using plastic or melamine.
- To avoid burned chocolate chips, microwave the chips for 30 seconds at a time, and stir them for at least 20-25 seconds between each microwave burst. Remember, the chocolate is still melting even after it has been removed from the microwave.
Quick Tip
Be careful when melting chocolate. If a drop of water gets in it, it may seize–get hard and grainy. If it’s overheated, it may turn cloudy and sticky. Going slowly and gradually is the best way to prevent ruined chocolate!
Storage
Cake Batter Popcorn Storage
Popcorn gets stale quickly, but especially when it’s tossed with chocolate and cake mix and left in an uncovered bowl!
- Transfer any leftover Cake Batter Popcorn to a large zip-top plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible from the top and then store in a dry, cool, and dark area. Keep out of heat/sunlight where the chocolate could melt.
- Cake Batter Popcorn is best enjoyed within 1-3 days; even when stored properly, the cake mix quickly begins to soften the popcorn.
- We don’t recommend freezing leftovers; they thaw out softened. If you aren’t sure about being able to finish the entire recipe, cut it in half or thirds!
Quick Tip
Quick Kernel Removal Idea: There are few things worse than crunching down on a stray unpopped kernel in your Cake Batter Popcorn! Here’s how to ensure they don’t sneak in: Lay one or two wire cooling racks on top of a large tray. Carefully pour the popped popcorn over the cooling rack(s). All the unpopped kernels will fall through the holes onto the tray. Once you’ve scooped up the popcorn and measured it for this recipe, you can dump the kernels left behind on the tray into the trash — easy!
More ways to use sprinkles
- Sugar Cookie Bars with frosting and sprinkles
- Funfetti Cookies soft and chewy!
- Mint Chocolate Bark with mint cookies and sprinkles
- Edible Cake Batter with sprinkles and white chocolate chips
- Cake Batter Cookies cookies with actual cake mix in the dough!
Cake Batter Popcorn
Equipment
- Sheet pan 15 x 21-inch, lined
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn plain or lightly salted, see note 1
- 2-1/2 cups white chocolate chips see note 2
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup Rainbow Chip Cake Mix or Funfetti, see note 3
- 1/3 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Line an extra-large sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside a very large bowl. The larger the bowl, the easier it is to toss. Pop the popcorn. See note 3 to heat treat the cake mix.
- Lay a wire cooling rack on top of a large tray. Carefully pour the popped popcorn over the cooling rack. All the un-popped kernels will fall through the holes onto the tray. Once you've scooped up the popcorn and measured 12 cups for this recipe, you can dump the kernels into the trash. Add the measured popcorn to the large bowl. Check again to ensure there are no kernels in the bowl.
- Melt white chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 15 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Mix in the cake mix and add salt if your popcorn was unsalted. Stir until combined. Pour this mixture over the popcorn using a spatula to scrape every bit of the melted chocolate onto the popcorn. Working quickly, toss the popcorn until well coated. Pour in the sprinkles and toss gently until integrated into the popcorn.
- Pour the popcorn onto the prepared sheet pan and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Let it harden at room temperature or in the fridge, then break apart and enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
- Microwave the cake mix in a microwave-safe bowl on high in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each burst to prevent burning. Use a thermometer to check the mixture in several spots to ensure it reaches 165℉ throughout. If it’s below 165 ℉, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Preheat the oven to 300℉ and line a large, rimmed sheet pan with a nonstick liner or parchment paper. Spread the cake mix evenly on the pan and bake, stirring every 1-1/2 minutes. Use a thermometer to check the temperature each time you stir; once it reaches 165℉, it’s safe to use in the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My daughter asked me if I’d remembered visiting a popcorn place when she was in elementary school? They had birthday cake flavored popcorn and she was craving it. Since we had relocated to a new state and l I wasn’t aware of the popcorn places here, I started looking for recipes to reinvent her childhood favorite. I’ll just say that this recipe did not disappoint. Her eyes lit up as soon as soon as she tasted it❤️.
I am SO thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Taylor’s mom! 🙂 You sound like an amazing mom!