I eat popcorn almost every day and most days I eat it with just a little melted butter on it. Sometimes I’ll get fancier and top it with melted coconut oil. If I’m feeling like a kick, I’ll add a sprinkle of cayenne, cinnamon, or a pinch of ginger. Other days I like the cheezy flavor of nutritional yeast. There’s really no wrong way to eat popcorn and the variations and combinations are endless.
One variation is caramel corn, but this is not just any caramel corn.
It’s caramel corn that’s made with vanilla cake mix so it tastes like caramel corn that met a vanilla cake on the way to the party.
On the way to the party that’s going to take place in your mouth.
You’ll know what party I speak of after you try a handful of these highly addictive kernels.
On the way to that party, the caramel corn picked up it’s buddies, Sprinkles and White Chocolate Chips.
The expression, “Once you pop, you can’t stop” applies here.
I’ve had tens of thousands of kernels in my day, and these kernels take the cake batter. Pun intended.
This caramel corn is not quite as crunchy as your average store-bought Crunch ‘n Munch or Cracker Jacks because the caramel coating is thicker and the white chocolate chips melt on the kernels making them very coated and candy-like.
What the caramel corn slightly lacks ever-so-slightly in the crunch department, it makes up for in flavor. Vanilla cake batter, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and white chocolate chips are always good friends that I like to have at parties.
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Vanilla Cake Batter and White Chocolate Chip Caramel Corn (With Vegan and Gluten Free Suggestions)
Makes approximately 8 cups of caramel corn
6 tablespoons popcorn kernels, unpopped (6 to 8 cups popcorn, popped)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup white cake mix (or vanilla, yellow, funfetti, or similar)
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup Light Karo syrup (red label; or light-colored corn syrup)
pinch of salt, optional to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or more)
1/2 cup peanuts (or more), optional
sprinkles, semisweet/milk/butterscotch/peanut butter chips, toffee bits, M&M’s candy, Reese Pieces candy, optional add-in’s to taste
Preheat oven to 250F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a Silpat or parchment paper (do not make this if you don’t have a Silpat or parchment; aluminum foil that has been sprayed extremely well with cooking spray is the third option. You will have a hot mess on your hands and cleanup will be a nightmare). Pop the popcorn using whatever method you prefer. I put 3 tablespoons in a brown paper bag (no oil or anything else, just plain kernels in the bag) and place the in the microwave and cook on high for 90 seconds, or until popping sounds become less frequent than every 3 seconds. Pour the popped kernels in a large bowl and repeat with another 3 tablespoons of popcorn in the brown paper bag in the microwave. After approximately 6 to 8 cups of popcorn is in a large bowl melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan on the stovetop. After the butter has melted, add the cake mix, sugars, Karo syrup, salt and cook for 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Do not let the mixture boil. It’s okay if it bubbles, but avoid boiling it. After 3 to 4 minutes and mixture is smooth and has thickened, remove it from the heat, wait at least 30 seconds, and add the vanilla extract, using caution because the vanilla could cause the mixture to bubble up. Stir in the vanilla and then pour the mixture over the popcorn, tossing it to evenly coat the kernels. After tossing and coating the popcorn, spread the popcorn into a flat, even layer onto the baking sheet and bake for 18 to 24 minutes. The coating mixture may thin out and appear to “drip” on the bottom of the baking sheet and that’s okay. The popcorn will not get brown and if it begins to brown, remove it from the oven immediately. After removing the baking sheet from the oven, toss the kernels with a spoon or spatula and “put back” any caramel coating mixture back onto the popcorn that has dripped off while baking. Sprinkle chocolate chips, sprinkles, and any other add-in’s over the top and they will melt slightly. Allow the popcorn to rest and cool on the baking sheet and it will harden as it cools. After it has cooled and hardened, if desired, break large clusters apart by hand. Serve immediately; or store in an airtight container or gallon-sized plastic bag for up to a week on the countertop, using common sense and knowing it will lose crunchiness as time passes.
Note: If you want gooier and thicker-coated caramel corn, use 6 cups of popped popcorn; for less heavily-coated caramel corn, use 8 cups of popped popcorn. To keep vegan, use margarine, vegan cake mix, and vegan white chocolate (or omit) or use dark chocolate. To keep gluten free, use gluten-free cake mix. Read all labels in any ingredients used to ensure they are suitable for your dietary needs.
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It’s a snap to make. Make the caramel sauce on the stovetop.
Pour the sauce over popped popcorn. I do this in the micowave in a brown paper bag as noted in the recipe.
Bake for 20 minutes and you’re golden.
Your kernels will be golden, too.
If you could take something that is pretty plain on it’s own like popcorn, but ultimately make it taste like a caramel-flavored cake, this is how.
Super addictive.
If you ever want to butter someone up, make them a batch of this caramely, cake-flavored, buttery goodness and hand them a baggie of this. They’ll be putty in your hands while double-fisting the caramel corn in theirs.
This would also be a perfect to put on a party buffet table spread or to eat mindlessly while watching mindless tv.
If you have a weakness for caramels like I do, try one of these Caramel Recipes
Including…
Caramel Apple Bars (GF with Vegan adaptation)
Or these Caramel and Chocolate Gooey Bars. There are no words.
Do you like popcorn? Caramel corn?
I have a few other popcorn recipes you may enjoy if you’re a popcorn fan.
Chocolate Coconut Oil Protein Popcorn (chocolate protein powder gives this popcorn a protein boost)
What do you like to top your popcorn with?
Cinnamon and sugar, or cinnamon and stevia, with melted butter or coconut oil, and a few chocolate chips thrown in is a favorite combination of mine.
Have a great week and enjoy the Oscars if you’re watching them, and make this to munch on. I have too much work to do at my desk so no time for Oscar-watching, but I’ll have some caramel corn at my desk to help make my computer work more fun.
Thanks for the Personalized Pens Giveaway entries
Averie, I want to make this for a function tomorrow, do you think I will compromise texture if I make it tonight or should I really *ugh* to to find time tomorrow? Thank you in advance!!
Hard to say…if it’s for a function, I would make the day of. If it was just for me and my family, I wouldn’t be as picky and would make ahead of time.
Thank you! It was easy to make the day of. I eyeballed white chocolate chips, pb chips, and some salted caramel peanuts. It went fast! Thank you!l
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
Averie….This looks like THE most delicious snack! I really want to try it. Problem: I cannot eat Popcorn as my teeth are bad and the kernels, popped or not,, could break my teeth (it happened about 2 yrs ago). Can you, or any readers , suggest a substitute for Popped Popcorn that I could try?
Thanks for any suggestions
?
I think that if you can’t eat popcorn this probably isn’t the recipe for you.
This is absolutely the easiest and most delicious popcorn recipe!! I was going to order gourmet popcorn online to make baby shower favors for my daughters shower, and came across this recipe. After trying it out, it’s actually better and fresher than any store I could get it from, plus I’m going to save a ton of money. Thank you so much for posting this wonderful recipe!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
How do you print this recipe, I push on the print this button and nothing happens?
This recipe is in my older format (I haven’t had the chance to switch them all over) so just copy/paste the recipe into an email to yourself and print that way. Easy!
How do you print out the recipe I push on the print this button but, nothing happens?
Trying this right now except using the pineapple supreme cake bater. Wish me luck – smells delicious!
That sounds so good! Perfect for summer! LMK how they turn out!
If u go to the dried fruit section, grab a bag of dried pineapple and a bag of dried Cherries and wala…pineapple upside popcorn. Yum.
Oh my yes Averie. I think I love this! Nope, I know I do!!! Cake batter? Delish!
I thought you may like this one :)
Hi, I commented a long time ago about gluten free and vegan options on your popcorn. I needed to make them for a baby shower. The vegan white chocolate popcorn turned out deliciously! Everyone couldn’t believe that it was vegan. I didn’t not make the cake batter one gf but still everyone loved the strong Carmel flavor. They were delicious. Thanks for the recipies.
Glad it was a big hit and thanks for reporting back!
Love this! We just posted our Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party and would love for you to stop by and share this…http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link.html
You have made my day with this recipe! I am making it for a treat tonight! My family thanks you in advance.
Love popcorn and caramel corn. My man makes air popped popcorn when we rent movies and I like to top mine with nutritional yeast and sea salt
I can see this popcorn not lasting long in our house at all. My BF can eat a bag in five minutes without thinking – if I flavored it – ooooh lord it would be over in an instant.
I love the name of your blog!
omGGGGG averie.
when i check out your recipes, i normally say to myself, “man she’s so creative!!” but this time, you’ve really outdone yourself! haha, this recipe is RIGHT up my alley. all of my biggest addictions in one snack!
not to mention, your beautiful photography! geez!
Oh man, I haven’t had popcorn in years. Just another one of those foods that my body refuses to tolerate. But OMG this looks delicious. I might have to make it for Aubrey and live vicariously through him. Or just use the same idea and pour it over Chex or pretzels.
Everyday I come here and I love you more and more! Sweets are my weakness……I love popcorn!!!! WOW!!
Thanks doll for another AMAZING eat!!!
xxxoo
I eat popcorn everyday! Usually just popcorn with cayenne and old bay. However, anything with cake batter must be made! And made a.s.a.p, I can’t believe I didn’t see this post immediately. :-)
That would be the popcorn of my dreams, I am not a big fan of salty and buttery popcorn, I like it sweet, with a lot of caramel and vanilla touches!
sweet, with a lot of caramel and vanilla touches = that sounds perfect!
It is perfect! My husband thinks it is weird, but I CAN’T GET ENOUGH!
cute ball jars! I love that they are low…would be perfect for so many things. I absolutely love popcorn and popcorn mixes! What a great idea to add cake batter. I randomly have a popcorn machine (it was a gift that at first I thought was frivolous, but I am now obsessed with it) and so popcorn is a staple in my house. Gorgeous photos!
I’ve thought of buying a popcorn machine actually but I don’t really need it…I just pop mine in a brown paper bag in the microwave.
oh wow averie, i cant believe I just discovered your amazing popcorn recipes now! WHen i was a bit younger, i used to be obsessed with caramel popcorn. But only at my home cinema, everywhere else it was way too chewy. i like mine crunchy. you really inspired me to try all your recipes! any favourite to start off with?
Yes, start off with this one :)
My kids would absolutely love this! Hope you had a good weekend!
That sounds killer! I have been eating popcorn a few times a week for the past few months, can’t get enough coconut oil + nutritional yeast!! It’s so GOOD. I lick the nutritional yeast from the bowl when there’s no more popcorn, lol.
I just bought a popcorn bowl a few weeks ago to do a popcorn post!! But never! Something this dreamy. :D
I was soooo in love with nooch for awhile that I could literally eat it by the spoonful after it had fallen off the popcorn at the bottom of the bowl. I put extra on just so it would do that. Lol
Popcorn bowls…there are some pretty ones out there but mine…not so pretty. Plain and old is more like it.
Love this idea!
So thiiiis was the popcorn recipe you were talking about. Damn, it looks delicious!
Yes it was…I’ve been meaning to publish this recipe for awhile and finally got all the pics edited and everything typed. Cooking is easy; it’s the posting of it that takes time. lol
Holy moly that looks delish!! But, anything with vanilla cake batter and white chocolate chip is going to taste incredible!! Sadly, I am allergic to corn and so is my oldest son, but my younger son loves popcorn so this is on the list of recipes to recreate! My boys think you are a rock star, Averie! :-)
You have a *corn allergy* — Omg I am so sorry. There is corn in EVERYTHING….traces. It’s a..nightmare. I am extremely familiar with how rampant and widespread corn is and it’s everywhere, in things no one even suspects. Trust me, I understand and I am so sorry! I bet you could make this with nuts…you could batter them, like cashews or almonds, obviously you need to tweak things a bit and watch them, but just an idea for ya.
It’s a tough one, that’s for sure. I am used to it now, though, as I found out in 2004. I know all the hidden names for corn! :-)
Thanks for the alternative with your recipe. It sounds delicious, too!
I LOVE both! That recipe looks amazing… definitely something I would keep on the countertop and walk by grabbing a handful every 5 minutes!
I swear you are dangerous! What yummy caramel corn!! I love that you used the Trader Joe’s Pearls. I bought them forever ago and yet to open them up! I should make this for my step-daughter, she and her boyfriend would love it!!
Ive had those Pearls for AGES and just finally decided, ok, need to use these little buggers :)
Sounds like I could eat a ton of it; which is exactly why I’m NOT going to make it!
I’m in a happy popcorn rut; coconut oil and Smokey Hills Cheese Powder every time.
Smokey Hills Cheese Powder = okay that sounds amazing to me right this minute!
cannot wait to take this to my oscar party tonight. so delicious!
thanks!
Well that’s the fastest anyone’s ever made a recipe. Lmk how it goes over!
…. a HUGe hit! thank you!!! all the girls went racing home to check out your blog. any suggestions for what to make with the remaining cake mix?
So glad it was a hit!
You could make these (obviously they’ll be vanilla, not strawberry cookies, a small little 1 dozen-ish batch, so good and easy)
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2012/01/strawberry-cake-mix-cookies-with-vanilla-cream-cheese-frosting.html
Or these
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2011/04/no-bake-vanilla-cake-batter-chocolate-truffles.html
Lmk what you make…if anything :)
will do, thanks! :)
gosh that sounds so dangerous Averie!
i would be very scared to make this unless I knew most of it was leaving. LOL
Wouldn’t the red velvet cake mix be a wild ride?
Girl my mind has been running wild with the possiblities…nooch, chocolate cake, butter cake, red velvet…oh, the possibilities…
This looks just fabulous, awesome job. Yes, I am a popcorn freak and enjoyed vanilla protein popcorn this weekend. :-)
You and me both LOVE our ‘corn!
Yummmmm!!! I love how clumpy it seems to get!! Delicious!
You can break those up but I just love the chunks!
i.love.cake.batter.anything!!! i like sweet popcorn like caramel corn or kettle corn. i’ve topped regular butter popcorn with cinnamon and it’s REALLY good!
coconut oil/butter + cinn + sugar/stevia are great on popcorn!
Oh yum! I usually sprinkle on nooch with a pinch of cinnamon and stevia but your recipe takes caramel corn to another level! Your creativity in the kitchen is amazing–it’s so fun to see what you think of next. My sourdough turned out very well. I would definitely use that potato flake starter again, but I just have to plan ahead.
my mind has been running wild with the possiblities… chocolate cake, butter cake, red velvet…oh, the possibilities… Glad you enjoy my creativity; it’s the best part of cooking is getting to do fun things!
Glad to hear the starter/bread turned out!
I have always been a huge fan of popcorn and this looks divine! When making popcorn at home I generally gravitate towards savory- most times with nutritional yeast and a little bit of popcorn salt (love that flavor!), but I really have a thing for Harry and Davids Moose Munch popcorn and this reminds me of that.
Ive had H & D blends of popcorn before and most of them are just amazing!
Oh my gosh, I think I might have just died and gone to popcorn heaven… :-D
Oh wow! That stuff would be a hit at a party! My friends would love me if I had a bowl of that out at my next gathering :-)
I like popcorn, but have only ever put butter and salt on it. The hubby looooooooves caramel corn though!
Make it for him and then ask for something nice…bribery always works :)
Um…yum! I can almost smell it even. Wow. I like popcorn, but don’t make it often. I love to toss in white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips and maybe cranberries. Just different textures and flavors (salty/sweet)
white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips and maybe cranberries = YES to all of that!
I haven’t had popcorn in a while, but I love the cinnamon, ginger, and sugar combo. Nooch is a classic also.
Last time I visited my brother, his girlfriend had two bags of gourmet popcorn at their house – Cinnamon Bun and Peanut BUtter Chocolate. They were MAD addicting.
Cinnamon Bun and Peanut BUtter Chocolate = I would have been in heaven! addictive but oh so good!
Oh, yes! We love popcorn! Iprefer it with nothing, just plain, but my men would like to have it with caramel or chocolate!
Well make this for them, and then ask for something amazing like a trip or shopping spree, and I bet you’ll get it :)
I eat popcorn EVERY DAY too!!! So happy to hear that I am not the only one : )
My favorite toppings are olive oil, sea salt, and cheese powder or lemon garlic powder. With a side of RED WINE of course.
Your caramel corn looks absolutely delightful. So fun and creative (as always)!
everything’s better with a side of wine :)
I just have to tell you – i came across your blog a couple of months ago and it is sooo impressive!! Between your incredible recipes and amazing pictures, I always look forward to your new posts. I have been telling my friends about your blog too and they all say the same thing!
Thanks for the SWEET compliments, Christina, and for telling your friends about my blog, too. I really appreciate it and that you enjoy it…thanks for finding me!
This looks unreal! I eat yummy plain ole’ popcorn almost every day too! Air popped popcorn is a great way to get that yummy crunch in a snack when Im studying as well. My fave is topped with a little fresh cracked black pepper and sprinke of cayenne! This “special occasion” popcorn is SUCH a great idea–I might have to some some g-free cake mix & try it out!
Keep me posted if you try it GF style!
mmmm love love popcorn, I just don’t make it often because I never keep it on hand. I made some caramel corn over the holidays for gifts and it was highly addicting and hugely popular with who I gave it to!
You have outdone yourself! This sounds AMAZING! I love popcorn. My favorite is actually just plain. I love kettle corn too. And caramel popcorn? Can’t resist. Ok…maybe you can do no wrong with popcorn in my book. No oscar watching here either!
(That was really weird; I just went to leave this comment from my phone and it said I was logged in as Averie?! Needless to say, I “logged out”… Hopefully WordPress is just having a brain fart.) Anyway, I came here to tell you that I just saw Speculoos COOKIE BUTTER at TJ’s on Truxton @ Liberty Station! Immediately thought of you. :)
Ok that’s super weird…and scary! I wonder how that could even happen?! Thanks for LMK..Weird…
Another reader told me they have cookie butter spread at the La Jolla TJs as of last week and I was going to truck up there but Liberty Station is closer…thanks for LMK! Have a great day!!
Are you kidding me??? You kill me with these ideas! LOVE IT!!! Glad to see those TJ’s Pearls put to use. I just keep holding on to mine, wondering what to use them for!
I’m excited to be joining you on the Treat Team :)
And my TJ’s pearls I picked up about 3 months ago maybe? Long time ago and they sat unused in my pile ‘o sprinkles and then I saw them, saw the colors in this corn, and used them solely b/c I thought they’d look nice in the pics. They actually taste good, too :) Not as good as your brownies I bet!
No words, girl. No words. Except maybe awesome.
Aww, you’re too sweet. Wish we could have a little bake-a-thon fest together one day!
Wow Averie, this looks delicious! I love popcorn too, but don’t make it nearly enough. One of my favourite savory ways to flavour it is with smoked paprika. Yum!
Smoked paprika…I havent had that in ages. I need to pick some up.
I love popcorn, too…and CAKE BATTER POPCORN?!? Does it get any better?!? You are dangerous, girl!
I was just on your site looking at your brownie bday Oreo post again…because yesterday, I bought those Oreos! And just saw Christi/loveoven make brownies with them. I’m next :) That is, after I eat some caramel corn. Lol
Helllll, yes! What I wouldn’t give for a bag of this to take on my long flight to San Fran tomorrow! :)
have fun in San Fran!! I love it up there!
popcorn that tastes like cake. I WANT IT!
Wish you lived closer…we could have a popcorn party!