cake pop recipes?

Chunstad

So, I'm going to a couples shower and I told the host that I'd bring a dessert.  I want to bring something REALLY special, since they've tried for years to have a baby, then IVF, finally adoption.  After years and years, they finally have their LO.  Anyways, in my Pinterest search for something special (not cupcakes, another friend is bringing cookies) I found these. However, there are no instructions!  Grr!! Has anyone made cake pops before, and how do you do it?  From the comments, I found out that she used two different size balls, and slipped paper straws over the cake pop stick. Also, she decorated w/ cake melt.

TIA!  Oh, and if you have a better idea of what I should bring, let me know!!!

anasazi17

I've made them before!!  They can be tricky, so I would most definitely do a practice run.

I used Bakerella's instructions found here:  https://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake-balls/  You can substitute any mix and icing (the canned stuff works best).

I use the small cookie scoop things, that look like ice cream scoops...they make it very easy for consistent sizing. 

Here are a few tips from my trial and errors (there have been many)

-Make sure you freeze them well and only work in small batches, keeping them frozen. 

-Use the candy melts from Michaels or wherever...melt them carefully, 30 second increments.

-dip the stick in the melt, and then stick it in to the ball.  Let that set up for a minute or two then dunk the whole thing into the candy melts.  This will help to prevent the ball from falling off into the candy.

I hope this helps...let me know if you have any questions.  I've been making them for a while and have faced so many issues...but the bakerella site has some good tips  

Chunstad

Thanks Anasazi!!  You rock!

PurpleDrewbie5

anasazi17:

I've made them before!!  They can be tricky, so I would most definitely do a practice run.

I used Bakerella's instructions found here:  https://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake-balls/  You can substitute any mix and icing (the canned stuff works best).

I use the small cookie scoop things, that look like ice cream scoops...they make it very easy for consistent sizing. 

Here are a few tips from my trial and errors (there have been many)

-Make sure you freeze them well and only work in small batches, keeping them frozen. 

-Use the candy melts from Michaels or wherever...melt them carefully, 30 second increments.

-dip the stick in the melt, and then stick it in to the ball.  Let that set up for a minute or two then dunk the whole thing into the candy melts.  This will help to prevent the ball from falling off into the candy.

I hope this helps...let me know if you have any questions.  I've been making them for a while and have faced so many issues...but the bakerella site has some good tips  

Yes this is what I do except for the freezing. I have the Bakerella Cake Pops book and I think she says NOT to freeze them because the chocolate will crack when the pops thaw out and expand. I keep them in the fridge, cold but not frozen and only work with a few at a time. 

Also, do not try to use water based food color it will really mess up the chocolate. Definitely buy colored candy melts. Also if the candy melt is really thick and hard to work with (mine always is) she suggests adding CRISCO to it. (obviously not the butter flavored kind. :P) This has helped me a TON and makes the dipping a million times easier. Good luck! You'll have to post a picture after you finish them :-)

anasazi17

PurpleDrewbie5:

Yes this is what I do except for the freezing. I have the Bakerella Cake Pops book and I think she says NOT to freeze them because the chocolate will crack when the pops thaw out and expand. I keep them in the fridge, cold but not frozen and only work with a few at a time. 

Also, do not try to use water based food color it will really mess up the chocolate. Definitely buy colored candy melts. Also if the candy melt is really thick and hard to work with (mine always is) she suggests adding CRISCO to it. (obviously not the butter flavored kind. :P) This has helped me a TON and makes the dipping a million times easier. Good luck! You'll have to post a picture after you finish them :-)

Oh yes!  I forgot to mention...I don't freeze them overnight or any super long period of time...I just use the freezer to speed up the process!!  Maybe like 20 minutes or else they will expand and crack. 

Glad you brought that up!!  

PurpleDrewbie5

anasazi17:

PurpleDrewbie5:

Yes this is what I do except for the freezing. I have the Bakerella Cake Pops book and I think she says NOT to freeze them because the chocolate will crack when the pops thaw out and expand. I keep them in the fridge, cold but not frozen and only work with a few at a time. 

Also, do not try to use water based food color it will really mess up the chocolate. Definitely buy colored candy melts. Also if the candy melt is really thick and hard to work with (mine always is) she suggests adding CRISCO to it. (obviously not the butter flavored kind. :P) This has helped me a TON and makes the dipping a million times easier. Good luck! You'll have to post a picture after you finish them :-)

Oh yes!  I forgot to mention...I don't freeze them overnight or any super long period of time...I just use the freezer to speed up the process!!  Maybe like 20 minutes or else they will expand and crack. 

Glad you brought that up!!  

I only thought of it because I have over-frozen them before and ended up with cracked chocolate. If I am working with too many and they get too soft I do put them in the freezer for a few minutes to cool and harden. I've found cake pops really aren't THAT hard, they just take A LONG time. :P

pennysuedog

This tutorial rocks, and I have made hers, and they are really good. Plus they are so easy.  I have gotten many compliments on them too.  She is right about too much icing they make the cake pop nasty!  ( I used the Wilton candy melts instead of chocolate and they come in every color)

https://divascancook.com/2012/04/how-to-make-cake-pops-easy-best.html

Chunstad

pennysuedog:

This tutorial rocks, and I have made hers, and they are really good. Plus they are so easy.  I have gotten many compliments on them too.  She is right about too much icing they make the cake pop nasty!  ( I used the Wilton candy melts instead of chocolate and they come in every color)

https://divascancook.com/2012/04/how-to-make-cake-pops-easy-best.html

YOU rock, Penny-thank you!

Chunstad

Okay, another question.  So you all recommend using the candy melts.  In the picture, there is detail work.  Should I just use the candy melts in a zip top bag (my go-to trick) or use royal icing?

Also, should I keep these in the fridge before the party, or just on the counter?  Hopefully, I can make these a day in advance, or could I make the balls and freeze them before decorating, then decorate them the day of?

PurpleDrewbie5

Chunstad:

Okay, another question.  So you all recommend using the candy melts.  In the picture, there is detail work.  Should I just use the candy melts in a zip top bag (my go-to trick) or use royal icing?

Also, should I keep these in the fridge before the party, or just on the counter?  Hopefully, I can make these a day in advance, or could I make the balls and freeze them before decorating, then decorate them the day of?

You could use the candy melts in your bag or, what I do for perfect round dots is I use one of DD's medicine droppers. There is less to work with that way. I wouldn't use royal icing because I think it would have the tendency to melt whereas when the candymelts harden you have to get them really hot to melt or smudge.

Don't freeze the balls or your candy melt will crack and look sloppy. You can make the balls and put them in the fridge the day before and decorate the day of if you want. Or you can make the balls and dip them so you only have the intricate work left to do the day of. That is what I would recommend. They really do take a decent amount of time especially when you're still working to get the hang of it.

As for where to keep them, I think they taste better cold but they're perfectly fine displayed on the counter and even left out for awhile.

Also, another thing that I meant to add was I use a BIG Styrofoam block to hold the cake pops in after I dip them the first time and it works wonderful. The stands are really flimsy and wobbly and over priced. My block came from inside an old box. I just cleaned it up and it works great.

One more tip, I keep a damp cloth next to me while I'm dipping to wipe my fingers because I inevitably end up with a little candy melt on my hands and I don't like getting it on the sticks.

I did some whimsical ones for a baby shower I threw. We displayed them in small glass cups like this.

Chunstad

Ooh, just saw your replies.  Thank you Purple and Wishful for your feedback.

 Another question.  Any idea how many bags of candy melt I should buy for the main balls (not the fine decoration)