Cake Pop

A lot of you may have known what a cake pop is by now. There are countless of articles written about cake pops, lots of video tutorials, and tons of ideas popularized by many talented cake poppers out there; and an easy sell to people who can't resist the cuteness of it. Little deets about the hype is, it was popularized in 2008 by the cake pop queen herself, Bakerella, a Georgia-based blogger of everything sweets. 

What really is a cake pop?

A cake pop is made of crumbled cake mixed with frosting, and is pliable enough to mold into different shape. With the help of a lollipop stick, it is then dipped into melted candy coating similar to the consistency of a melted chocolate. Possibilities are endless with cake pops. You can customize it right from the start-- 

cake flavour, frosting of choice, colour, candy add ons, oil flavorings, and design to match the needs of your occasion. The wow factor of the cake pop is timeless because of its versatility. It can be dressed up or down, fun and elegant choice for a celebration, and guests will surely be tickled pink. 

Here, I  made my first ever cake pop with the help of Bakerella's New York Times bestselling book, Cake Pop Holidays.   With all the excitement in making my first cake pop, I didn't think of following the book to a tee (as always, when I'm making something out of a recipe book). Sometimes, you have to go out of your way, and see where your adventure leads to. 

Surprise! Surprise! 

It didn't look the way it was suppose to, but I'm VERY HAPPY with the outcome!

First, bake cake mix according to package directions. Once cooled, crumble the cake in a big bowl. Scoop out half a tub of ready-made frosting and mix it together with the crumbled cake. Make sure to blend the mixture well, and there are no chunks of cake left, and frosting is well distributed. 

Form a ball in your hand (about 1 and a half inch diameter) and roll it until desired shape is achieved. Let the cake balls rest for 10 minutes before popping in the freezer for a good 15 minutes. 

I gave up using microwave oven 2 years ago for personal reason, but if using one, melt the candy melts (also called candy coating, candy wafers, chocolate bark, bark coatings, compound coatings, confectionery coatings) in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Preferably, a 4-inch deep small container, enough to hold the melted wafers, and enough to swirl the coatings from side to side without having to lift the cake pop up and dip for a second time.

Double-boiler method: fill the pot halfway with water, let it boil for few minutes. Remove from heat. Here, I used a coffee mug over a pot of freshly boiled water. Make sure that candy melts doesn't come in contact with water. Melt the candy melts, stirring frequently until smooth. 

(I like to call it candy melts despite the redundancy)

Dip half inch of the lollipop stick in the candy melts, then insert the stick no more than halfway thru the cake ball, otherwise cake balls may break in the middle. Carefully dip the cake ball in the candy melts. Make sure cake pop is completely covered with the candy melts, swirling from side to side without having to lift it and dip again (cake pop heavy with coatings may fall off the stick). 

Remove the cake pop from the coating, and let the excess drip in the bowl by rotating the stick frequently and tapping the wrist gently to shake off the excess coating. This is the best phase to attach different candies like marshmallows, sprinkles, etc (if the design you're aiming at is simple) before sticking the cake pop in a prepared styrofoam block or corrugated box, and let it dry.

If the design calls for a snout and ears, it is best to attach M&M candies with little candy melts in an uncoated cake pop beforehand. Dip the cake pop into candy melts. Wait for the coating to dry before using an Americolor gourmet writer (edible ink pen) to draw a nose, eyes and mouth. 

Possibilities are endless given the versatility of cake pop. This whole recipe yields to 30 cake pops (...only because I rolled the cake pop way too big than what is called for, otherwise it makes 48). See, another evidence  that I wasn't really following a book to a tee. 
Tee Hee! 

Repeat with the remaining 'naked cake balls', and enjoy your creations! 
Now, don't forget to take pictures!

Although the cake base I used in this cake pop is not from scratch, it really tastes yummy I have to say! (Awww, sorry polar bear I just can't resist you!) 
All in all, making my very first cake pop is fun and a little bit messy.  Probably, next time wouldn't be as messy as this, as I know now what to expect and whatnot. 

I am very excited to share this to you guys and gals, and I hope this inspires you to make cake pops. It's really fun, and for sure with a little bit of confidence you can do it too! Yep, 100% 

Now, are you ready to dive-in to cake pop world yet? If so, let me know how your first cake pop turned out. Enjoy and Good Luck!



xoxo 
Mademoiselle Vanilla