Cake Pop Tutorial

I had a friend show me how to make cake pops and haven't been able to stop making them. They are so fun and their are so many different themed pops you can make once you know the basics.  I don't have a cake pop maker and didn't want to buy one so this is how I make them.  

Materials:

• Cake: any box mix or your favorite recipe should work.
• Frosting: any should work although I prefer buttercream frosting. Keep in mind frosting with perishable ingredients will need to be refrigerated. 
• Chocolate: chocolate melts work great although I like to use almond bark...I think it tastes better and it's less expensive.
• Lollipop sticks: I like to dip these in chocolate before making the pops...it makes them look nicer and stay on the stick.
• Styrofoam block: or anything with lollipop sized holes in it. This is to help hold the pops while they dry.
• Baking sheet, lined with parchment paper
• Small, deep microwave safe bowl: the bowl needs to be small enough that you aren't wasting chocolate and deep enough to cover the whole cake pop. Cups work well.

Directions:

1. Bake a cake and let it cool.

2. Crumble the cake into small pieces. You can do this with a food processor but I just use my hands...less clean up.

3. Mix the crumbs with frosting. You want to add enough frosting so that you can shape the cake into balls. Add it slowly and test consistency frequently. Shape into balls (or whatever shape you are going for) and place on cookie sheet.

4. Refrigerate or freeze cake pops until firm. *You don't want to dip frozen cake balls into the chocolate because it will cause the chocolate to crack so if you choose to freeze them don't leave them to long unless you leave time to let them thaw. 

5. Melt a small amount of chocolate. Dip lollipop sticks into chocolate about 1/2" and then push at least half way through cake ball. *Be sure not to poke the stick all the way through.

6. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm around the lollipop stick.

7. Melt chocolate, make sure to melt enough that the cake pop can be completely submerged in chocolate without hitting the bottom of the bowl.

8. Dip cake pop into chocolate, make sure to cover the chocolate on the lollipop stick.

9. Once cake pop is covered lift it out of the chocolate and allow excess chocolate to drip off.

10. If adding sprinkles or other decorations allow the chocolate to dry about half way before adding so that the chocolate doesn't clump around them. 

11. Place cake pop in stand and let dry.

Cake pops can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make them.  If you need some ideas just Google "Cake Pop Ideas" you will be amazed at all the creative ideas. 

These were some cake pops I did for a birthday. 

You can make your own eyes for cake pops with confetti sprinkles and a FoodWriter marker.  You can also buy them already made but they are kinda expensive.