Holiday Popcorn Cake Recipe

I have heard of Popcorn Cake for many years. I even remember eating some in the small community I grew up in (Terry, Montana). It's funny how recipes have come back to me later in life. I remember how good that Popcorn Cake was, but as a child I never had an inkling of wanting to know how to make it. Fast forward to my 40's. Now I want to know how to make all the good things I experienced as a child. My grandmother was a fantastic cook as is my mother. Luckily, my mom has a lot of those old recipes around. I even inherited my grandmother's recipe box (a true treasure in my opinion). As I was visiting with my mom about Popcorn Cake she mentioned that she had it in an old community cookbook. I told her I had just made it.....and the recipe was similar.

Stone and I were home most of the day alone. Shane went to help our friend work some cows. We had chores to do, but after those were over we had some time on our hands. My friend, Trisha, had posted about Popcorn Cake a few weeks ago. I made the comment that I wouldn't be making it (because I know how I like to pick at things and I certainly don't need anything around to pick on). She said that I needed to make this and enjoy how good it is. When I asked her for the recipe she gave me her mom's recipe...I ad-libbed a little bit. Thanks, Trisha & Vera!

This past couple of weeks I have made numerous batches of cookies, banana bread, and peanut brittle. I usually wrap myself up in baking during the holidays, but this year I can't seem to get into it. I think it's the fact that I absolutely don't crave sweets anymore. That's a big thing for me because most of my life had me craving sweets and salty things 24/7. Not anymore though! So, for me to think about eating things like this.....well, I just don't have the appetite for it. However, I have two hard-working guys in the house and they love treats once in awhile. I decided to give this Popcorn Cake a whirl and see what happened. It's amazing! I decided to call it Holiday Popcorn Cake because it truly can be made for any holiday. Here is how you make it:

Holiday Popcorn Cake

• ½ cup of Butter

• ½ cup of Brown Sugar

• 1 bag of small Marshmallows

• 12 cups of popped Popcorn

• 1 Bag of Gumdrops

• ½ Bag of M&Ms (holida colors – in this case red and green)

• Red Hots (optional) - I didn't use these.

• Peanuts (optional) - I used Peanut M&Ms instead

• Bundt Pan, coat with cooking spray liberally

Melt butter and sugar together over medium heat. Add bag of marshmallows. Turn off heat. Stir until fully melted. Pour over popcorn. Mix well. Add candies. Mix until combined and as evenly distributed as meets your approval. Pour into bundt pan. Let cool. Turn bundt cake right side up on a plate. The popcorn cake should come out. If not, go around the edge with a knife until it comes loose. Enjoy!

When Shane got home from working cows it was past supper time. We waited for him. We all sat down and ate together and then enjoyed a small piece of Popcorn Cake for dessert. A small piece is all you need.....it goes a long ways and boy is it yummy. It will be interesting to see how long this lasts around here. Trisha may be buying me bigger pants after the holidays are over! lol - just kidding - I plan to use a bit of self-control. Hope you try this out. Let me know what you think!