Cake Pop TIPS 'n TRICKS

By no means is this follow-up post on a healthy eating option. I love to bake though and this time of year is perfect for me because there are functions I can bake for which means I don't eat my goodies.

A week ago I first posted on how to make cake balls. That was the precursor for today when I needed to make beautiful cake pops (these ones are on a stick like a lollipop). 

I made the cake part exactly as before. 1 box of cake mix (bake it according to box instructions) then once cool mix in 1 can of frosting (flavors are your call). Roll into balls and chill the suckers in the fridge for a few hours. 

Now here are the keys for making elegant pops instead of ucky-mucky spattered ones...

1) use CANDY MELTS (not just regular chocolate they have a different consistency) and ADD a bit of veggie shortening/crisco when you melt it in the microwave. It should have a liquidy consistency. 

2) Before dipping your balls, place them in the freezer for 5 minutes. This gets them solid enough - *caution! DO NOT freeze completely or the balls will crack once thawed*

3) Dip your stick 3cm into the candy melt before you push it into your ball (this helps it stick) then let them sit on a cookie sheet so that the stick hardens inside the cake ball.

4) Then dunk the ball directly down into the soft candy melt and bring it straight back up (no rolling) or it will loosen from the stick. Tap the stick so that any excess coating drips off.

4) Sprinkle your dipped pop with any decoration you want & stick completed cake pop into some styrofoam until it dries.

*It definitely takes a few tries to get accustom to. When I got it down though I had a fun system. It was almost soothing to dip and twirl. Have fun!