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    Home » Cooking with Kids

    Modified: May 9, 2025 · Published: Dec 28, 2012 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    Birthday Cake Popcorn

    118 shares
    • 2
    Jump to Recipe

    Do you love easy kids recipes? Food for children needs to be delicious and fun. I was looking through my pantry for something we could add to regular popcorn to take it up a notch. You'd be surprised how quick and easy it is to make some "fancy popcorn." This would be great served at a party or as a hostess gift. I didn't come up with the name "Birthday Cake Popcorn" until we made it and tasted it. It was just so yummy and colorful that it reminded me of birthday cake. See if you don't agree.

    Popcorn, melted chocolate, marshmallows and sprinkles combine to make this fun and yummy birthday cake popcorn.

    Ingredients:

    • Popcorn (I used light microwave popcorn, but you can pop your own)
    • Chocolate and vanilla candy melts
    • Mini marshmallows
    • 2 Squeeze bottles
    • Colorful Sprinkles
    • Large bowl

    The one warning I will give you about making this birthday cake popcorn, is to make sure your popcorn is free from loose kernels  The chocolate can make them stick to the other pieces of popcorn. They are hard to spot and you don't want to bite down on them.

    ingredients for birthday cake popcorn

    How to make birthday cake popcorn

    I used the Wilton decorating squeeze bottles but you can just drizzle on the melted chocolate with a spoon. I found conflicting reports about whether you could actually melt the candy melts in these bottles. I chose not to. I melted the candy in a glass cup instead and poured them into the bottles. I really like the look of the chocolate using the bottles rather than drizzling with a spoon. The end result looks more like something you'd find in a store.

    So whichever method you chose, start by melting the chocolate and vanilla candy melts separately. The amount of candy melts you use will depend on how big a batch of popcorn you are making and how chocolate-y you want it.

    melted chocolate in a squirt bottle

    Next, add some mini marshmallows. We really didn't measure these out unless you count 3 child sized handfuls as measuring.

    kids making popcorn

    After you add the marshmallows shake up the bowl so that they can become mixed with the popcorn.  Then squeeze the melted vanilla and chocolate candy melts all over the popcorn. You will want to stop every once in a while to shake up the popcorn so that the chocolate gets evenly distributed.

    squirting chocolate on popcorn

    Next, shake on some sprinkles and let the whole thing sit until the chocolate hardens. Ours took about 30 minutes.

    adding sprinkles to popcorn

    This birthday cake popcorn was SO good and simple to prepare. The kids had a blast making it, from squeezing the bottles to shaking sprinkles, there was lots to keep them busy.

    birthday cake popcorn

    FAQs For Birthday Cake Popcorn

    What kind of popcorn works best for this recipe?

    Plain, air-popped popcorn or lightly salted microwave popcorn works best. Just avoid anything too buttery or flavored so the candy coating sticks well.

    Can I make this ahead for a party?

    Yes! You can make it a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh and crunchy.

    How should I store leftovers?

    Keep any leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it starts to soften, a quick toast in the oven can help crisp it up again.

    📖 Recipe

    Birthday Cake Popcorn

    Vicky
    It is so easy to create some fun popcorn to celebrate a special occasion!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    setting time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 121 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 Squeeze bottles
    • Large bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 bag Microwave Butter Popcorn I used microwave popcorn but you can pop your own in an air popper.
    • Chocolate and vanilla candy melts
    • Mini marshmallows
    • Colorful Sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • start by melting the chocolate and vanilla candy melts separately. The amount of candy melts you use will depend on how big a batch of popcorn you are making and how chocolate-y you want it.
    • Pour the melted chocolate into the squeeze bottles.
    • Next, add some mini marshmallows. We really didn't measure these out unless you count 3 child sized handfuls as measuring.
    • After you add the marshmallows shake up the bowl so that they can become mixed with the popcorn.  Then squeeze the melted vanilla and chocolate candy melts all over the popcorn. You will want to stop every once in a while to shake up the popcorn so that the chocolate gets evenly distributed.
    • Next, shake on some sprinkles and let the whole thing sit until the chocolate hardens. Ours took about 30 minutes.

    Notes

    Make sure your popcorn is free from loose kernels The chocolate can make them stick to the other pieces of popcorn. They are hard to spot and you don't want to bite down on them.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 172mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 40IUCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword popcorn
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nancy Bandzuch says

      January 22, 2013 at 4:23 am

      Wonderful! I'd love to have you come share some of your projects at my link party that just went live!

      http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2013/01/an-oldie-but-goodie-link-party-2-and.html
      I'm your newest follower!
      Nancy

      Reply
    2. Tutus & Tea Parties says

      January 20, 2013 at 1:26 pm

      Love how fun this popcorn looks! Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂

      Reply
    3. Liz @ Here's to Handy Andy says

      January 19, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      How fun and yummy! What a great way to involve the kids in preparing it too! Thanks for sharing at our Pinteresting Link Party!

      Reply
    4. Leisa says

      January 19, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      YUM! This looks so good--and what a great idea! The kids can get involved and everyone is happy 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5. Six Sisters says

      January 19, 2013 at 4:15 am

      This looks delicious and what cute helpers you have!! Thanks for linking up this yummy birthday cake popcorn at our Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We hope you'll stop by again. -The Six Sisters

      Reply
    6. The Quiet Mom says

      January 18, 2013 at 10:24 pm

      Wow, this looks like fun for kids to make!:)

      Hopping by and following your lovely blog's twitter, FB, SU and Pinterest. I blog @ Getting Healthy with Essential Oils

      I am also inviting you to join Tiddle Diddle Handmade Shoppe's first giveaway event.

      Reply
    7. Jaime says

      January 19, 2013 at 1:13 am

      Looks yummy!

      Reply
    8. Jeni says

      January 17, 2013 at 11:16 pm

      Yum! My little girl would love to make this!Thanks!

      Reply
    9. Diana - FreeStyleMama says

      January 17, 2013 at 3:21 am

      YUMMY!!!

      Reply
    10. Dee says

      January 16, 2013 at 5:18 pm

      Fun and Delicious my two favorite things!!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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