Cake Pops (or Balls)
- Jamie
- Jan 7, 2020
- 4 min read
Everyone always requests my cake pops (or balls) because they are the perfect sweet treat! A cake in two bites, just enough to enjoy without feeling guilty! I'm going to share my cake pop process so that you can see how simple it really it and anyone can do it!
You can use this process with any combination of cake and frosting to make tons of variations. I have even started with a ball and used my fingers to create different shapes like hearts, cupcakes, ghosts, pumpkins, etc.
I always break down my process into two days, just so it doesn't become overwhelming. I like to decorate them and want to make sure I have fresh eyes and creativity versus trying to rush through to be done.
My process as a basic outline:
Make single layer cake (I always use a cake box mix for cake pops but you can use homemade too)
Crumble the cake
Mix the cake and frosting together (again I buy the small tub of cake frosting)
Form into cake balls
Dip the cake balls in chocolate
Quick tips:
I always make my cakes, let them cool and form my balls in day #1. This way I can refrigerate my balls overnight and then day #2 I spend time dipping and decorating.
Smaller is better! If you make cake balls too big, they will not stay on the sticks! But if you do make your balls too big, just turn them into truffles and put them in a mini cupcake liner!
Always dip your stick in melted chocolate before inserting into the cake ball. This acts like glue to help keep the ball on the stick.
You will want something to poke your pop sticks into to hold the cake pop up as it dries. I have seen others use blocks, cardboard boxes, foam, etc. I like to use either a foam square or a rice krispies block if I'm making those at the same time. They do sell some handy tools like this one, that can be purchased. You want to make sure they have enough room to dry without touching or falling.
Ingredients:
1 box cake mix (and ingredients to make cake as directed)
1 container store bought frosting
1 package candy melts
40 lollipop sticks
Sprinkles
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your cake pan - size is your preference or what you have available.
Make the cake according to the box directions.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for the time indicated on the box that coordinates with your pan size. My favorite is a 9x13 pan but always check your cake to make sure a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
Crumble the cooled cake into a bowl, making sure you crumble big lumps of cake. With a mixer or spoon, mix together about 2/3 of the frosting into the crumbled cake.
Scoop out about 1 Tablespoon of moist cake mixture and roll into a ball. I like to use a small cookie scoop to make sure they are all the same size.
Place balls on a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour.
Melt the coating in a small bowl or 2 cup liquid measuring cup, melting in 30 second intervals until candy is just melted.
Let the coating cool down for about 2 minutes before you begin dipping. If it’s too hot when you dip, the coating will crack.
Remove about 5 cake balls from the refrigerator at a time. You want the rest to stay cold until you are ready to dip. Dip a lollipop stick about 1/2 inch into the coating, then insert into the center or the cake ball. Only push it about halfway – 3/4 through the cake ball.
Dip the cake ball into the coating until it is completely covered. Make sure the coating covers the base of the cake ball where it meets the lollipop stick. Gently tap the stick against the edge of the bowl to allow excess coating to drop off.
Decorate the top with sprinkles (or leave plain) and place upright to cool. Repeat with remaining cake balls, only working with some out of the refrigerator at a time. The cake balls must be very cold when dipping!
Coating will set within an hour. Store cake pops in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Here are some of my favorite cake and frosting flavor combinations:
Chocolate cake & strawberry frosting
Chocolate cake & chocolate frosting
Chocolate cake & buttercream frosting
Funfetti cake& vanilla frosting
Strawberry cake & vanilla frosting
Red Velvet cake & cream cheese frosting
Carrot cake & cream cheese frosting
Spice cake & vanilla frosting
Lemon cake & vanilla frosting
Cherry Chip cake & chocolate frosting
Devil's Food cake & chocolate frosting
These will get you started in the cake pop craze and then you can experiment with homemade cakes and frostings. Then you can make gourmet cake pops/balls like Raspberry Champagne!
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