From BETTY CROCKER

Makes 15 servings

Savory popcorn and sweet cake come together for a delicious dessert to make any birthday party POP!

INGREDIENTS

1 box BETTY CROCKER Super Moist yellow cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box 

2 containers BETTY CROCKER Rich & Creamy creamy white frosting

Tray or cardboard (24 x 16 inches), covered with wrapping paper and plastic food wrap or foil

Red pull-and-peel licorice

1/4 bar (4-oz size) white chocolate

BETTY CROCKER blue decorating icing (from 4.25-oz tube)

2 cups popped microwave kettle corn popcorn

DIRECTIONS

1.Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom and side of 8” round cake pan with baking spray with flour. Grease and flour bottom and sides of 11” x 7” glass baking dish (do not use baking spray). Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour 1 1/3 cups batter into 8” round pan and remaining batter into 11” x 7” baking dish.

2.Bake shiny 8” pan 23 to 28 minutes (dark or nonstick 8” pan 26 to 33 minutes) and 11 “x 7” dish 34 to 38 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan and baking dish to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3.Cut 8” round cake crosswise in half. Spread 2 tablespoons frosting over top of 1 cake piece. Top with second cake piece.

4.Cut wedge shape from each long side of 11” x 7” cake, so cake is 4 inches wide at one end and 7 inches wide at other end. On tray, place larger cake piece with 4-inch end at one end of tray. Place stacked rounded cake at 7-inch end of cake on tray. This cake is the kettle corn. Freeze 1 hour before frosting to reduce crumbs.

5.Spread desired amount of remaining frosting over entire cake. Peel 5 sections of licorice apart; arrange lengthwise on popcorn bag.

6.Place white chocolate bar on center of popcorn bag. Write “Happy Birthday” on bar with decorating icing. Press kettle corn onto top of cake. Store loosely covered.

TIPS

You can purchase already-popped kettle corn instead of popping microwave popcorn.

Create an attractive display by covering a piece of sturdy cardboard with wrapping paper, then plastic food wrap. Stretch and secure with tape, or cover cardboard with foil or cooking parchment paper.

To cut the white chocolate bar, use a sharp serrated knife, and gently saw back and forth.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at bettycrocker.com