Is there a cake more fun than a popcorn cake? Not that I’m aware of! Popcorn cake is buttery, marshmallow-y and is studded with M&Ms or your choice of candy. Kind of like popcorn balls, but in convenient cake form.

When I was young and of trick-or-treating age, there was one house in particular that was a must-stop. The lady that lived there always gave out homemade popcorn balls.

It must have taken her hours to prepare for the influx of kids – and even parents – that came to get one of her famous treats.

To this day, I always associate popcorn balls (and to a lesser extent, popcorn cake) with Halloween.

So I have decided to post this fun and festive popcorn cake just in time for the Halloween weekend.

Even better? There’s no baking required. You can make a homemade popcorn cake in less than 15 minutes.

About The Recipe: Popcorn Cake

If you like popcorn balls, then you’ll like popcorn cake. They’re essentially the same thing, but with a different shape. A popcorn cane is essentially a giant popcorn ball pressed into a cake pan, using marshmallows as the binder.

Popcorn cake is made out of 4 simple base ingredients:

• Popcorn: While you can pop your own popcorn, I like to use store-bought bagged popcorn which has great crunch and is devoid of unpopped kernels – something I can’t seem to avoid when making homemade stovetop popcorn!
• Marshmallows: Pick up a 1-lb. bag: Either mini or large marshmallows will work.
• Oil & butter: I have always used a combination of oil and butter to make popcorn balls. I have seen other recipes using just butter – and I’m sure that would work just fine.
• Add-ins: You can add M&Ms, gum drops, toffee bits, pretzels, peanuts – the sky is the limit for what you can add to a popcorn cake.

Customize This Popcorn Cake For Any Holiday

This cake can be customized for any holiday. Just use holiday-colored M&Ms, gum drops or other candies.

If you’re more keen on making popcorn balls, by all means, please do. This recipe works either way.

Just remember to let the mixture cool a bit before shaping into balls – and butter your hands to avoid a sticky mess.

The Cost: Popcorn Cake

This fun and delicious recipe is also budget-friendly. Popcorn is one of the cheapest foods out there. For just a few cents, you end up with a big bowl of popcorn enough to share with your whole family. This recipe is fun and festive, yet affordable. And it makes popcorn into something really special. (As if I needed another reason to make popcorn. I make it all the time!)

I made stovetop popcorn for this recipe. A huge batch cost just 23 cents. You can also use microwave popcorn for this recipe.

• Popcorn = $.23
• Marshmallows = $1.49
• Oil = $.19
• Butter = $.75
• Candy pieces = $.79

Total cost of recipe = $3.45

Recipe Tips

• To avoid sogginess: Use store-bought, day-old or air-popped popcorn for extra crispness. If it still feels wet, reduce oil to 1 tablespoon next time – many recipes omit it entirely for a drier, crunchier result.
• Candy tips: Add M&Ms last to minimize melting. For holidays, you can try red/green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and purple hues for Halloween.
• Popcorn ball alternative: If you prefer a popcorn ball, check out this recipe. Scoop into balls instead of a pan; butter your hands liberally.
• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days. This popcorn cake softens over time, so best eaten fresh.
• Make it vegan: Swap butter for plant-based butter/spread and use vegan marshmallows.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my popcorn cake soggy?

A: Sogginess often comes from too much liquid or using warm popcorn. To avoid this, use day-old or air-popped popcorn for extra crispness, and reduce the oil to 1-2 tablespoons (as in the revised recipe). Let the marshmallow mixture cool slightly (2-3 minutes) before mixing to prevent excess moisture absorption.

Q: How do I prevent the popcorn cake from sticking to the pan?

A: Generously spray your bundt pan or angel food cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. You can also lightly butter the pan for extra insurance. When pressing the mixture in, use buttered hands or a spatula to avoid sticking. Let it set fully (20 minutes) before inverting to release cleanly.

Q: How do I stop the M&Ms from melting in the popcorn cake?

A: To prevent candies like M&Ms from melting and turning into a “brown mess,” add them last after the marshmallow mixture has cooled slightly (just warm, not hot). Toss gently to avoid crushing the candies. You can also chill the M&Ms beforehand for extra protection.

Q: What other mix-ins can I use in a popcorn cake?

A: There are so many options! Try peanuts, pretzel sticks, toffee bits, or mini chocolate chips for crunch and flavor. For holidays, use themed candies like red and green M&Ms for Christmas, pastel jelly beans for Easter, or candy corn for Halloween. Keep add-ins to 1-1.5 cups to maintain the cake’s structure.

Q: How long does popcorn cake last, and how should I store it?

A: Popcorn cake stays fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It may soften over time due to humidity, so eat it fresh for the best crunch. Avoid refrigerating, as it can make the popcorn soggy.

Q: Is this popcorn cake recipe kid-friendly to make?

A: Definitely! Kids can help mix the popcorn and candies or press the mixture into the pan (with adult supervision for the hot marshmallow step). It’s a fun, no-bake project for birthday parties or holiday gatherings. Use colorful sprinkles to make it even more exciting for kids.

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More Holiday-Inspired Popcorn Recipes

Make a popcorn Christmas tree!

Red, white, and blue popcorn for the 4th of July

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