Chocolate Popcorn Cake {Easy}

Easy chocolate popcorn cake recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. This soft and moist layer cake is filled with chocolate buttercream frosting. Topped off with spicy popcorn as topper/ decoration and crunch. Great for carnival, cinema, film theater and movie night themed birthday parties!

I am crazy about popcorn, obsessed with chocolate and love unique desserts, which led to the creation of today's recipe. This is just as delicious and cool as my Chocolate Pretzel Cake (With Ganache Frosting) and my Modern Abstract Cakes and even this Sock It To Me Cake (With Cake Mix).

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make easy chocolate popcorn recipe from scratch?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More cake recipes
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Popcorn- This is what makes this cake really fun and unique.
• Flour- I always use all-purpose and get great results.
• Sugar- Granulated sugar is the only type you'll need to make this recipe a success.
• Buttermilk- You can make your own or purchase some at the store.
• Coffee- An added flavor most people won't expect.
• Oil- One key to getting a nice, moist cake.
• Vanilla extract- Brings a complimenting warmth to the overall cake.
• Baking powder and baking soda- Both of these are use as rising agents.
• Spices- Including salt, paprika, and chili powder.
• Eggs- Use large ones at room temperature.
• Chocolate frosting- I like to use my classic chocoalte buttercream for this cake.
• Ganache- So simple, delicious, chocolaty, and creamy.

Variations

• You can also use Homemade Caramel Corn (Caramel Popcorn)- Instead of the spicy ones like I used. You can even add some salt.
• Toss in some mini marshmallows- With the popcorn if you like that sweet and salty flavor profile. Popcorn and marshmallows go hand in hand.
• Give it some color- I used red edible spray to give the spicy popcorn a pop of color. You can use any color you like, a combination of different colors, or just use nothing at all.
• Add some peanut butter- You can use Peanut Butter Frosting (4 Ingredients) instead or put a layer peanut butter between the cakes. Topping with peanuts also gives a new crunch.
• Make it for a birthday- Use themed colors or rainbow colors for the popcorn. You can even use Funfetti Cake/Confetti Cake (From Scratch) and Easy Funfetti Frosting (Sprinkle Frosting). Top sprinkles, some candles, or the person's favorite candy bars crushed alongside the popcorn.
• Drizzle over the top of the popcorn- Some more chocolate ganache, Homemade Caramel Sauce, or Nutella Syrup (2 Ingredients).
• Sweeten the popcorn- By using kettle corn or seasoning the popcorn with Cinnamon Sugar.
• Try white chocolate instead- Use White Chocolate Frosting and drizzle white chocolate ganache on top.

How to make easy chocolate popcorn recipe from scratch?

1. Sift together- Cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Mix together- Eggs, oil, buttermilk, coffee, and vanilla.
3. Combine wet and dry mixtures- Then pour into prepared pans.
4. While cakes bake and cool- Prepare the ganache and frosting.
5. Make the popcorn- And sprinkle on the seasonings.
6. Assemble cake- Place the cake on a serving dish, frost the top, drizzle on some ganache, and top with second cake and frosting.
7. Frost entire cake- In chocolate buttercream, using a spatula to make a diagonal pattern.
8. Pour ganache on top- Then place in the fridge before serving.

Tips and techniques

• Prevent soggy popcorn- Prepare a fresh batch of popcorn when you are ready to serve and then just toss them on top. I noticed that if you toss the popcorn on top of this cake in advance they become soggy and disgusting.
• Adjust seasoning- Based on the level of spice you like. You don't even have to have the spices if you don't want them.
• Allow cake to fully cool- Because trying to decorate a warm cake makes a mess with melted frosting.
• Line pans- To prevent sticking by using parchment paper. Otherwise use grease and flour.
• Don't over-mix- Otherwise you will get a tough, chewy cake that isn't very tasty.
• Use room temperature ingredients- Because this allows everything to combine more thoroughly.
• Use full-fat ingredients- For the best flavor, texture, and creaminess.
• The red edible spray is optional- But it adds a pop of color to go with that spicy taste.
• Use a spatula to frost cake- Because it is the simplest and easiest way to get the same look as shown in the picture.
• You can make your own buttermilk- Just by combining a cup of milk with 1 Tb of vinegar.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Refrigerate- This can be placed in a sealed container for up to 3 days, but just know that the popcorn on top may become soggy. I would recommend replacing with new popcorn.
• Freeze- This is not recommended since the popcorn get soggy and chewy. But you can store the cake for up to 1 month and then thaw and decorate the day of serving.
• Room temperature- This can be left out for 2-3 hours before needing to be put back in the fridge.
• Make ahead- Best fresh, but this can be prepared three days in advance. I always recommend getting fresh popcorn, though.

More cake recipes

• Boston Cream Pie (With Cake Mix)
• Chocolate Depression Cake (Crazy Wacky Cake)
• Best Banana Chocolate Chip Cake
• Easy Chocolate Oreo Cake (Layer Cake)
• Best Marble Cake (With Chocolate Swirl)

Recipe