Caramel Popcorn Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• CAKE (Customized 1-2-3-4 LAYER CAKE)
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups sifted Swans Down® Cake Flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk (whole or low fat)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 cups American Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)
• Caramel Sauce (recipe follows)
• Popcorn Balls (recipe follows)
• AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
• 4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (4 ounces) confectioners sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
• POPCORN BALLS
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/3 teaspoon kosher salt
• CARAMEL SAUCE
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature