Popcorn Cake

mailbelle's Note:

This is so different from your traditional "cake." It's like a snack mix made into a cake! Uses popped popcorn, M&Ms, caramels and peanuts. This recipe was titled Patriotic Popcorn Cake because it used red, white and blue M&Ms, but there are so many other possibilities! Use pastel M&Ms to make an Easter cake, red and green M&Ms for a Christmas cake, all pink or all blue M&Ms for a baby shower cake, assorted colors for a circus theme...you get the picture!

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 1 (16 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
• 20 caramels
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1 1/2 cups salted peanuts
• 1 cup M&M's plain chocolate candy

Directions:

1. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl or roasting pan.
2. In a saucepan, combine the marshmallows, caramels and butter. Heat on low until melted, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and mix well.
4. Working quickly so that it doesn't harden too fast, stir in peanuts and M&Ms.
5. Press into a well-greased 10-inch tube pan. Cool until firm.
6. Remove from pan and cut with a serrated knife.

Reviews

[Lady Morrgian]

Turned out beautiful and tasted amazing. Now I did do one thing different, but I doubt it changed much. Instead of the caramels I used a bag of caramel balls, same thing really just pellet sized for melting faster and no need to unwrap. I used a whole bag and I found them next to the morsels in the baking aisle.

[Chef #1169462]

This was okay, but I think the problem was with the "candy" I used. I will use chocolates next time!

[Linda's Busy Kitchen]

I made this to bring to my sisters for Easter, and it is going to be very well received by young and old! This is one of those things where you have one piece and it leads to another one then another sliver, until you think you are going to turn into a sweet tooth junkie! I sampled a few times to make sure it was just right, and it's awesome! I used cashews instead of the peanuts, and drizzled milk chocolate over the top. Looks pretty with all the pastel candies and tastes great! I will be making this again to make into popcorn balls too. Thank you for sharing your recipe with us Mailbelle! Made for 123 Hit Wonders 4/09 Linda