Get ready to delight your taste buds and add a touch of whimsy to your dessert table with our Homemade Cake Pops. These bite-sized treats combine moist, flavorful cake with a rich coating of chocolate or candy melts, all on a convenient stick. Perfect for parties, holidays, or simply a fun baking project, these cake pops are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Preparation and Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours
Servings and Serving Size
- Servings: 24 cake pops
- Serving Size: 1 cake pop
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 85mg
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 200g (7 oz) all-purpose flour
- 200g (7 oz) sugar
- 120g (4.2 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 120ml (1/2 cup) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Frosting:
- 100g (3.5 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 50g (1.8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 200g (7 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For Coating and Decoration:
- 400g (14 oz) candy melts or chocolate, melted
- Sprinkles, nuts, or other decorations
- 24 lollipop sticks
Method of Preparation
- Bake the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Form the Cake Balls:
- Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the frosting and mix until well combined. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Dip and Decorate:
- Melt the candy melts or chocolate according to the package instructions. Dip the end of each lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and insert it halfway into a cake ball. This helps secure the stick in the cake ball.
- Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate, gently tapping off any excess. Decorate with sprinkles, nuts, or other decorations before the coating sets.
- Place the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to set completely.
Tips for Culinary Success
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling it to avoid a mushy texture.
- If the cake pop mixture is too dry, add a bit more frosting; if it’s too wet, add more cake crumbs.
- Work quickly when dipping the cake pops to prevent the coating from hardening before decorating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Can I use store-bought cake mix and frosting? A: Yes, you can use a boxed cake mix and store-bought frosting for convenience. The process will remain the same.
- Q: How should I store leftover cake pops? A: Store cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Q: Can I make different flavors of cake pops? A: Absolutely! Experiment with different cake and frosting flavors to create a variety of cake pops.
Bring joy and creativity to your dessert spread with these whimsical Homemade Cake Pops. Perfect for any celebration, these delightful treats are as fun to make as they are to eat. Share them with friends and family, and watch as smiles light up with every delicious bite.