Easy No-Bake Marshmallow Popcorn Cake: The Ultimate Festive & Fun Dessert!
Get ready to create a truly spectacular, yet incredibly simple, dessert that will steal the show at any gathering! This fun and festive marshmallow Popcorn Cake, generously studded with colorful M&M’s and crunchy peanuts, is an effortless no-bake recipe. It’s vibrant, delicious, and perfect for birthdays, holidays, movie nights, or any occasion where you need a joyful and easy treat.
Discovering the Delight of Popcorn Cake
Years ago, my dear friend Gail introduced me to the concept of a “popcorn cake,” and honestly, my initial reaction was, “a *what*?!” I simply couldn’t believe I’d never heard of such a thing. Gail, with her infectious enthusiasm, quickly enlightened me, raving about how incredibly easy they are to make. She highlighted their no-bake nature, the vibrant colors achievable with simple additions, and their remarkable versatility for any holiday or party theme. Her passion was contagious, and the idea of a dessert that was both fun and fuss-free immediately captivated me.
Fast forward about five years (time flies when you’re having fun, or running a blog!), and as I was mapping out recipes for my blog’s Ten Year Anniversary Celebration, the idea of a popcorn cake resurfaced. It clicked instantly – this was absolutely PERFECT! I was still deciding whether to call the milestone an “anniversary” or a “birthday,” but when I thought about this cheerful dessert, I realized: who wouldn’t want a spectacular Birthday Popcorn Cake to celebrate such a special occasion?
The Versatility of Popcorn Cake: Customizing Your Sweet Treat
The beauty of this popcorn cake lies in its incredible adaptability. While I followed Gail’s classic recipe for this version, featuring delicious M&M’s and salted peanuts, the possibilities for customization are endless. If you or your guests have a peanut allergy, simply omit them – the cake will still be wonderfully flavorful. I even considered blending the ideas, using peanut M&M’s for an extra nutty crunch!
Many variations exist for popcorn cakes. Some recipes incorporate chewy gumdrops for a whimsical touch, which would be incredibly fun, especially for a children’s party. Imagine using pastel jelly beans for an Easter celebration, or perhaps red and green candies for a festive Christmas treat! While some popcorn cake recipes call for a rich caramel binder, this particular recipe utilizes the delightful stickiness of melted marshmallows. This creates a cake that reminds me of the very best popcorn balls – the kind that are soft, gooey, and melt in your mouth, rather than being hard and difficult to bite into. This marshmallow-based cake offers a wonderfully chewy and satisfying texture that everyone will love.
Storage Tips for Your Popcorn Bundt Cake
One important tip for this no-bake bundt cake is that it’s best enjoyed relatively quickly. For us, this was never an issue because it’s so irresistibly delicious! To maintain its optimal gooeyness and flavor, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. It’s truly at its peak when eaten fresh, ideally within two days of preparation. While it might last a little longer, the texture will start to firm up, so dig in and savor this delightful dessert!
Simple Ingredients for a Spectacular Popcorn Cake
You’ll be amazed at how few ingredients are needed to create this show-stopping dessert. The magic truly lies in the combination and preparation!
- Freshly popped popcorn
- Vegetable oil
- Butter
- Marshmallows
- Salted peanuts (optional, for crunch and flavor contrast)
- M&M’s (or your favorite colorful candies for customization)
How to Make This Effortless No-Bake Popcorn Cake
This recipe truly lives up to its “easy” promise. From start to finish, the active preparation time is incredibly short – it literally comes together in about 10 minutes! You might find yourself spending more time cleaning up than actually making this delightful treat.
- Start by popping your popcorn. Ensure you remove any unpopped kernels to prevent unpleasant surprises. Place the popped popcorn into a very large mixing bowl. Liberally spray a bundt pan (or any mold you prefer) with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
- In a saucepan over low to medium heat, combine the butter, vegetable oil, and marshmallows. Stir continuously until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. This gooey marshmallow mixture is the “glue” for your cake.
- Carefully pour the warm marshmallow mixture over the prepared popcorn in the large bowl. Using a spatula, gently but thoroughly stir until every piece of popcorn is evenly coated. Work quickly but gently to avoid crushing the popcorn.
- Add the salted peanuts to the coated popcorn mixture and fold them in until they are well distributed. The saltiness of the peanuts provides a fantastic contrast to the sweet marshmallow.
- Now, quickly add the M&M’s to the mixture. Stir just enough to incorporate them. Be mindful not to overmix, as the warmth of the popcorn and marshmallow can cause the M&M’s to melt and their colors to bleed.
- Press the entire mixture firmly and evenly into your prepared bundt pan. Use a greased spatula or your hands (lightly greased with cooking spray) to really compact it. Let the cake stand at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, allowing it to set before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate.
This cake is truly best when eaten on the same day it’s made. For any leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and that delightful gooey texture.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this fantastic and easy popcorn cake recipe slip away! Make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever a craving for a fun, no-bake dessert strikes. Pin it now and share the joy!
An Affair from the Heart Celebrates Ten Years: A Decade of Deliciousness!
This delightful Popcorn Cake recipe is just one part of my extravagant **Tenth Anniversary Giveaway Celebration**! Reaching a decade of sharing recipes and culinary adventures with all of you is a monumental milestone, and I wanted to celebrate it by giving back. Today’s giveaway theme is all about cozy movie nights, snuggling on the couch, and pure relaxation – the perfect companions for a delicious popcorn treat!
While I’m more of a music lover than a big TV watcher, I absolutely adore movies. I truly miss the experience of going to the theater and indulging in a huge bucket of popcorn. These days, most of our viewing happens through streaming services. I’ve even re-watched some of my favorite series multiple times – does anyone else do that? Tell me, what’s your most beloved show that you’ve ever binge-watched? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
Today, I’m thrilled to be giving away a *supa-soft* blanket and a $25 Netflix gift card. It’s the ultimate package for staying in your comfiest clothes (have I mentioned how much I adore my PJs and a big hoodie?) and settling down to watch your favorite shows on Netflix! But that’s not all – there’s even more in store for our lucky winner!
Speaking of comfort, the winner of today’s giveaway will also receive one of my exclusive 10th Anniversary T-Shirts! Please note that prizes are currently only available to my wonderful readers in the US, and the T-Shirts come in limited sizes. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but it’s a logistical constraint I can’t overcome right now.
But WAIT! There’s even MORE to celebrate!
Grand 10th Anniversary Prizes: Win a KitchenAid Mixer & More!
In addition to the daily themed giveaways, I am also giving away a coveted KitchenAid Mixer to one incredibly lucky winner! Entering to win this fantastic prize couldn’t be simpler – all you have to do is make one of my recipes! That’s right. Bake a cake, prepare dinner for your family, experiment with a new appetizer, or mix up a refreshing drink recipe from my blog. Once you’ve made it, simply take a photo and email it to me at [email protected].
I will be accepting entries for the KitchenAid Mixer from March 1st until 11:59 PM CST on March 31st. You are welcome to make as many recipes as you like; each unique photo submission will count as an additional entry! Just send the photo in an email, let me know which recipe you made, and share your thoughts on it. It’s that easy to boost your chances of winning!
Bonus Entry Opportunity!
Want to increase your odds even further? You can earn a bonus entry for each recipe photo you share on social media. Just remember to tag me on my Facebook page or Instagram page, include the recipe title, and use the hashtag: #AnAffairFromTheHeart. Since many social media accounts are set to private, preventing me from seeing your public shares, I kindly ask that you also send a screenshot of your shared post to my email address.
But wait, there’s even more excitement! I’m not finished with the surprises yet. There are nine additional incredible prizes you can enter to win throughout my anniversary celebration. The details for all ten prize categories (including today’s specific giveaway) are comprehensively explained and available for entry right here in this massive Rafflecopter Giveaway. You can enter to win some of these fantastic prizes every single day in the month of March, so make sure to visit frequently and share with your friends!
It might be MY 10th (anniversary) BIRTHDAY – but I’m the one giving all the presents!
Why? Because giving gifts is one of my *MOST FAVORITE THINGS* to do!
ENTER TO WIN ALL of the PRIZES HERE
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Beyond the Cake: More Delicious Popcorn Recipes & Tips!
I confess, popcorn is my ultimate favorite snack! I simply cannot get enough of it. In fact, I’ve dedicated an entire category on my site to a wide array of popcorn and snack mix recipes. While my beloved Touchdown Snack Mix doesn’t actually contain popcorn, it’s made with the irresistible flavor of buttery popcorn oil, and it is absolutely darn good!
When I make a batch of popcorn, there’s rarely a single crumb left. Between me and my furry companions, it vanishes in a flash! However, I often see readers asking about freezing popcorn, so I decided to look into it. And guess what? You absolutely can! If you find yourself with leftover popped corn, simply place it in an airtight container or bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and store it in the freezer for up to a month. While it’s always best enjoyed fresh for that perfect crispness, freezing is a great option. And if you have some popcorn that’s just past its prime for snacking, transforming it into a creative new recipe, like this Popcorn Cake, is an even better idea!
Explore these other fantastic recipes that ingeniously feature popcorn:
- Crack Corn (Candy Coated Popcorn) – just like the one pictured above!
- Peppermint Bark Popcorn – a festive favorite.
- Winter Wonderland Snack Mix – perfect for chilly evenings.
- Easy Caramel Popcorn – a classic for a reason.
- Tobasco Honey Butter Popcorn – for those who like a little kick!
- Easy Marshmallow Popcorn Balls – a simpler, traditional version.
- Nacho Doritos Popcorn – a savory, cheesy twist.
Let’s make every occasion a celebration with this delightful Popcorn Birthday Cake! 
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Print Recipe
Marshmallow M&M Popcorn Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Rubber Spatulas
- Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick 1-Quart Saucepan with Lid
- Nordic Ware Bundt Pan
Ingredients
- 2 x 2.71 ounce bags of microwaved popcorn, popped and unpopped kernels removed (about 14 cups)
- 1 x 16 ounce package marshmallows
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 2 cups M&M’s (from a 1 pound bag)
Instructions
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Add popped popcorn to a large bowl. Spray bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set both aside.
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Melt butter, oil and marshmallows together on the stove, stirring until smooth.
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Pour over the top of the popcorn and stir until popcorn is coated.
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Mix in the peanuts.
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Mix in the M&M’s quickly. The more you mess with them, the more they will get melty.
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Press into the prepared bundt pan, and let stand for 30 minutes before inverting onto a plate.
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Store covered, and enjoy within 2 days.