Birthday Cake for Those Serving in the Military Overseas

Everyone appreciates being remembered with a special cake on their birthday, especially those serving in the military overseas. A loved-one or friend in the military serving overseas should be remembered on their birthday with a birthday cake, but a traditional birthday cake is unlikely to survive the trip. This doesn’t mean you can’t send a birthday cake to someone serving in the military overseas. You have to be innovative, creative, and you have to send a birthday cake that will look and taste as good as it did on the day you sent it to your loved-one in the military serving overseas.

Popcorn Ball Birthday Cake

This very special birthday cake is unlike regular birthday cakes because it is made from deliciously sweet popcorn, but to your loved one serving in the military overseas, this popcorn ball birthday cake will be one of the most special cakes ever received.

Don’t think a popcorn ball birthday cake will be unappetizing or boring. You can make a chocolate popcorn ball birthday cake or a caramel popcorn ball birthday cake, and you can decorate it for your friend or loved one serving in the military overseas.

Ingredients

�½ cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup margarine
�½ cup light corn syrup
�½ teaspoon salt
8 cups popped corn
Food coloring (optional)

Procedure

Heat all of the ingredients except for the popcorn over medium heat, stirring constantly. Heat the ingredients to a simmer, and fold in the popcorn. Continue stirring and folding in the popcorn until all of the popcorn is coated. Allow the popcorn to slightly cool.

While the popcorn is cooling, spray a bundt pan or angel food cake pan with cooking spray. Dip your hands into cold water, and press the popcorn evenly into the bottom of the pan. After the popcorn cake has cooled completely, remove it from the pan and wrap it securely in plastic wrap.

Chocolate Version

If your loved one serving in the military overseas loves chocolate, consider making this chocolate popcorn ball birthday cake. Simply stir 2 tablespoons of cocoa with the granulated sugar, and don’t include food coloring in the recipe.

Caramel Version

This version of popcorn ball cake is simply delicious, and those who love caramel serving in the military overseas will love this caramel popcorn ball birthday cake. Simply use packed light brown sugar in place of granulated sugar, and substitute dark corn syrup for light corn syrup. Don’t include food coloring in this recipe.

Decorating Your Popcorn Ball Birthday Cake

Decorate this popcorn ball birthday cake for your loved one serving in the military overseas by sticking on pieces of gummy candy or other candies that won’t melt. Cut up the candy if necessary, and stick it to the popcorn ball birthday cake before the corn syrup sets. If the corn syrup has set, simply stick the candies to the cake with edible glue made from sugar. Mix granulated sugar with enough water to make a thick paste, and apply it to each piece of candy. Allow the sugar to harden before wrapping the finished cake.

Shipping Your Popcorn Ball Birthday Cake

Popcorn makes fantastic packing material. Instead of packing your present with foam peanuts or bubble wrap, pop a little extra popcorn to use as packing material. Make sure the popcorn ball birthday cake is wrapped securely in plastic wrap, and line the bottom of a sturdy shipping box with a layer of butter-free popcorn. Surround the top and sides of the cake, and send this very special birthday cake to your loved one serving in the military overseas.