Get the kids in on the fun this holiday season with these adorable pumpkin marshmallow pops that they can help you decorate too.
I can’t believe I’m really typing this as I do, but it’s really almost October which means Halloween. And Halloween means it’s time for sweet treats and fun costumes. I have a recipe for you and your kids to make some fun pumpkin marshmallow pops together.
Not only are they easy to make but also delicious to snack on. These would be perfect for a Halloween party or for your kid’s classmates at school. Your kids will definitely enjoy decorating them too.
Pumpkin Marshmallow Pops
Ingredients & Supplies:
Orange candy melts
Marshmallows
Pretzel sticks
Leaf sprinkles
Paper straws or lollipop sticks
Black edible marker
Cake pop stand
Start by breaking off the ends of the pretzel sticks to use for the stem of the pumpkin.
Melt your candy melts according to package directions until smooth.
Dip the end of the paper straw into the candy melt and then into the end of one marshmallow.
Dip in the melt until completely covered.
Place a pretzel piece in the top of the marshmallow with a leaf sprinkle beside it before the chocolate hardens.
Place the treat pop in the stand to harden.
Once you have finished dipping your marshmallows and the candy melt has hardened, use the edible marker to draw the faces of the jack-o-lanterns.
And now you have not only a sweet treat but one that is just as adorable. Who can resist that little pumpkin face?
Plus the great thing is that you can leave the faces off and have pumpkin pops for Thanksgiving too.
I love a dessert and treat that anyone can make and have ready to go even at the last minute when you are scrambling for ideas.
Have a frightfully fun Halloween and let me know what your kids are dressing up for Halloween this year. I would love to hear any fun or unique ideas.
You will also enjoy these eyeball cake pops for Halloween that I made one year. They turned out perfect and so realistic.
This post was originally published on Fantabulosity on September 28, 2015.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. I pinky promise. #StarburstJellybeans #Kroger #CollectiveBias
Cake Pops! Yes those beloved little bites of cake and frosting goodness! They are not only delicious but also just so stinkin’ adorable. So whenever I have an occasion or opportunity to make them, I definitely take advantage of it. I can’t wait to share with y’all how to make Easter cake pops.
They actually do look much more difficult to make than you might think. Yes, there is a technique and some pointers I have learned that will make it much easier for you but overall very much DOABLE.
Easter Cake Pops
Ingredients and Supplies:
Plain baked cake- Choose any flavor you like but be sure to leave it plain and not iced.
Frosting
Candy melts or melting chocolate
Paper straws or lollipop sticks- I just love all the designs and colors of the paper straws that you can find now.
Starburst® Jellybeans
Sprinkles
Cake pop stand- This is not necessary but will make your life so much easier when allowing the chocolate to harden.
Now before I explain in much more detail each step with different tips and pointers, I have a video that shows you exactly how to make your own if you are more of a visual person. Enjoy! (Then keep reading for more details.)
First start by crumbling your cake into a bowl until it is a fine potting soil consistency with no large pieces of cake. *I bake my cake in a 13” x 9” pan. A full cake will usually make about 48 cake pops.
Add your frosting starting with one spoonful at a time. You can always add more. Combine the frosting and crumbled cake until you have a more dough consistency. *You do not want them to be too wet or they will not hold their shape. Too dry and they will fall apart as well.
Roll a spoonful of the cake mixture into a tight ball. Make sure the ball keeps its shape.
Place them on a baking sheet and pop them into the freezer for about 15 minutes. *Having them chilled helps them to hold their shape while dipping them in the chocolate.
Melt your candy melts or dipping chocolate according to package directions. *If microwaving, be sure to only heat for small increments of time and stir between.
Dip the end of a paper straw into the chocolate about 1/2” and then dip into one end of a cake ball. *Push in about half way to keep the straw in place but not too far to avoid the ball from falling apart and falling off the stick.
Dip your cake pop into the chocolate until completely covered and then shake off any excess chocolate. *I tap my wrist lightly to shake off any excess chocolate. Avoid knocking the cake pop on the bowl therefore knocking the cake ball off the stick.
Immediately add your sprinkles to the top and place a Starburst® jellybean on top in the middle.
*Side Note: Starburst® Jellybeans are my absolute favorite jellybean of all time. I honestly do not care for other jellybeans whatsoever. Starburst® Jellybeans however are the exception. (I just set the world record for saying jellybeans the most in 2 sentence. 😉
I found all of these varieties, Starburst® Original Jellybeans, Starburst® FaveREDS Jellybeans, and Starburst® Sour Jellybeans at Kroger. I couldn’t wait to try the other varieties this year too. They are the perfect candy for filling Easter baskets, Easter eggs, and even Easter candy dishes with. Everyone loves them and looks forward to eating them every year. Plus what makes them even better is that they are made with real fruit juice for a real fruit taste.
We can now get back to these adorable Easter cake pops. I just love sharing things that I personally love with y’all so you can try the same too.
Place your cake pop in a stand to let the chocolate harden. Once they are all done, place them in an Easter basket or cute cup as I did and give them to someone special. (Just don’t forget to keep one for yourself too.) I placed a piece of styrofoam with small holes in it inside a cup and then placed extra Starburst® Original Jellybeans on the top to hide the styrofoam.
And now that is all there is to it. Not so bad right? It actually becomes quite addictive. Check out my March Madness Cake Pops and Easter Bunny Cake Pops that I made before if you enjoyed these and are looking for even more ideas.
Please let me know who you would love to make some for in the comments below. Be sure to check out other fun ways that you can enjoy Starburst® Jellybeans HERE. You can never have enough. It’s just a fact. And pretty please share this video with your friends too if you think they would love a sweet surprise.
https://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/How-to-Make-Easter-Cake-Pops-FI.jpg400800Bethanyhttps://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo_freelance.pngBethany2016-03-08 05:00:402016-03-08 06:50:39How to Make Easter Cake Pops
Halloween is just a few days away! I can’t believe it is here already.
If you are needing a fun and sweet treat for a last minute party or to give to your kid’s friends, then no worries. These Jack-O-Lantern Marshmallow Pops are perfect idea. I am sharing the full recipe at Fantabulosity blog today.
Your kids can get in the kitchen and help you decorate. They may make a little mess, but that’s when you know you are having fun and making memories.
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
P.S. Please share this post with others if you enjoyed it and found it helpful. We love when you pass on goodness to others.
Have you ever bought a cake pop and wished you could make your own to enjoy whenever you wanted and share with friends and family during parties? You were probably thinking they would be too hard to make or you just wouldn’t have enough time to do so.
Quite the contrary. I am sharing 5 must have cake pop supplies today to make this adventure easier and lots of fun. You really can make your own. Once you see a few supplies that will make it easier for you, then check out the full tutorial to start making your own.
I also shared my 6 must have craft supplies last week that I always must have on hand so be sure to check them out too before you go shopping next time.
A cake pop suddenly becomes a cake ball if you don’t have a stick to dip the cake ball in chocolate so lollipop sticks are a must. The lollipop sticks are plain white and can be used for any occasion. But I just love color so much which makes the paper straws so adorable because you can practically find them in any color or design now.
If you can’t find the exact color or design you are looking for, then try this quick tutorial for creating your own quickly and easily.
Now what would a cake pop be without that first crunchy bite of candy melts coating the entire cake pop? Candy melts are basically small round disc of chocolate that comes in just about any color you can think of. They can be melted in the microwave which is my preference or over a double boiler.
It’s pretty much impossible to make cake pops without having a stand to hold the cake pops to allow time for the candy melt to harden once it has been dipped. (I guess you could hold one at a time until it hardens, but now that would take forever.) I have a simple and inexpensive cardboard stand I use to hold all of mine while they dry. I have a sturdier plastic white stand I use to display them for parties or events.
A cake pop dipped in candy melts is just not complete without adding some kind of pizazz and decoration. My favorite and the easiest way to do this is with sprinkles. I have collected quite the collection of different kinds of sprinkles from sugar sprinkles to hearts to Easter eggs. Immediately after dipping the cake pop, add some sprinkles to the top and you are all set.
Now I had heard of these and read about them before but was really hesitant to buy them because I wasn’t sure they would actually work. You place a few of the thin wafers with your candy melts while heating them, and it helps the thin the candy melts which then makes it smoother and easier to dip the cake pops. I was amazed at the noticeable difference and how much they really made it easier.
I had read somewhere that you could also use shortening to do the same thing which I had tried several times. It was nowhere near as helpful as these wafers. They are definitely worth the money spent which isn’t much and they go a long ways too.
Now you know everything you need to start making your own cake pops and impress your guests in no time. These supplies will only make your life easier and give you more time to spend relaxing on the couch catching up on your favorite shows like I tend to do. (Gilmore Girls is definitely my binge watching show. Let me know what yours is in the comments below.)
Enjoy the fun and creativity of your own cake pops and the little things in life.
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
P.S. Please share this post with others if you enjoyed it and found it helpful. We love when you pass on goodness to others.
Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
https://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/5-Must-Have-Cake-Pop-Supplies-FI1.jpg400800Bethanyhttps://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo_freelance.pngBethany2015-06-26 05:00:362015-06-26 23:32:595 Must Have Cake Pop Supplies
I love a sweet treat but a sweet treat that is themed around a holiday like this Halloween eyeball cake pop recipe is even better! Every holiday, season, or celebration, I feel that it just isn’t the same unless there is some kind of cake pop made that is appropriate for each one. I love thinking of new things to make and what I should create next. Plus my husband loves getting to taste all of it so we are both happy in the end.
With a round cake pop or even a cake ball, there is nothing more perfect than making eyeballs out of them for Halloween. They are simple to make because you don’t have to change the shape of them which saves so much time. Once you have tackled the basics of making cake pops or cake balls, the decorating is easy and fun!
Please check out my blog post for either a basic cake pop recipe or basic cake ball if you have never made them before or are just wanting simply a refresher or some tips. Then don’t forget to come back here for the remainder of the directions.
Supplies and Ingredients:
Uncoated round cake balls
Peppermint or white candy melts or white chocolate– I used white candy coating that had peppermint pieces in it. I was hesitant about how the peppermint would look, but I was pleasantly surprised with how great it turned out. I think the peppermint pieces gives the more red distinct look that pairs perfectly with the vein markings made by the edible markers.
Go ahead and dip your cake balls if you are wanting cake pops. See blog post on how to make cake pops for specific directions. Below I will show you how to decorate the cake pops.
When you dip the cake pop, be sure to immediately place an M&M on the side of the cake pop with the logo printed side down facing the cake pop. The candy melt will harden quickly and make it harder for the M&M to adhere.
Once your cake pop has hardened completely, use a black edible marker to draw a black circle in the middle of the M&M for the pupil of the eye. I totally forgot to take a picture of the pupil after it was drawn on.
Lastly use a red edible marker to draw the veins on the cake pop or eyeball. Start at the center around the M&M and draw a “squiggly” line to the back of the cake pop. Continue around the entire cake pop.
There is no rhyme to how to draw the lines or how many to do. Just work your way around the entire cake pop and have fun with it.
Now your eyeballs are complete and ready to eat. Just don’t think of them as eyeballs when you go to eat them or you may lose your appetite.
I hope this will give you an idea for some of your own Halloween cake pop ideas. These eyeball cake pops would be perfect for your Halloween party on that treat and dessert table! I displayed mine by placing them in a mason jar and then filling the jar with candy corn to keep them in place and standing up. It is always so cute to use candy when decorating with cake pops or other desserts.
Don’t be intimidated by making these cake pops or any others. They are so much fun and so cute to look at. Others really do love getting them.
Happy Halloween! Hope you enjoy your eyeballs and also enjoy the little things in life!
If you enjoyed these eyeball cake pops, then you will also want to check out my Frightening Friday Series that included other fun Halloween party ideas and decorations.
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
An apple cake pop a day keeps the doctor away… (or at least the sweet cravings anyways)!! With the kiddos all heading back to school, the traditional apple gift for their teachers immediately came to mind. But what teacher wouldn’t rather get a bouquet of apple cake pops instead? I know I would. They are too cute and a perfect gift of appreciation for all that our teachers do for our children.
Not only are cake pops a great gift for the teachers, but would also be a fun surprise to toss in your child’s lunch box for a sweet treat! All the kids at the lunch table will be wanting to trade something in their lunch box for an apple cake pop.
Were you the parent that decided to volunteer for an upcoming bake sale at school or signed up to bring classroom snacks one day? Why not take these apple cake pops? They can be individually wrapped in clear treat bags for a bake sale. Plus if you want to get a head start and make them ahead of time, then they can be frozen as well.
Well let’s get started!!! But first check out How to Make a Basic Cake Pop and then return here to finish the delicious apples.
Ingredients and Supplies:
Uncoated cake balls
Paper straws or lollipop sticks– I had some white and green stripped paper straws that I thought would look cute but plain lollipop sticks would also look great.
Pretzel sticks– You will need to break off the ends of the stick and use those for the stem.
Green leaf sprinkles– I had some leaf sprinkles that I found in my collection but a green sprinkle in a diamond shape or something similar would also be okay too if you cannot find the leaf shape.
First instead of leaving the cake balls in a round shape, you will need to shape them to still be round but with a slightly flat bottom. I also used the tip of my finger to press down a small indention in the top where the stem will come out of.
Place the cake balls in the freezer for about 15 minutes and in the refrigerator for about 2 hours to “firm up” in order to dip more easily.
While you are waiting, melt your red candy melts according to package instructions.
Once melted and cake balls are firm, dip the tip of your paper straw or lollipop stick into the candy melt and then place into the bottom of the cake ball. Dip your cake pop into the melt and gently tap off any excess candy melt.
Before the candy melt has hardened, place a pretzel on the top in the indention and the green leaf sprinkle beside it.
Place in the cake pop stand to let the candy melt harden.
Continue to dip the other cake pops and placing the pretzel and sprinkle on each one.
You are now ready to take a big bite out of an apple. Enjoy yourself.
If giving as a gift to a teacher, place the cake pops in a pretty mug or clear glass jar that could be reused later in the classroom.
Another cute way to give the cake pops is to remove the lollipop stick from it and place the cake ball in a mini cupcake liner. The cupcake liners I had were Martha Stewart and reminded me of a basket that you would use to pick apples in an orchard.
I hope you, your children, and their teachers enjoy these tasty and cute treats as much as we do! But also enjoy the little things in life as well!
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
Why not decorate Cake Pop Easter Eggs this year instead of the traditional boiled egg? I myself love boiled eggs, but I must admit myself that a cake pop is much tastier. If you wrap them in treat bags, you could then hide them around the house for an indoor Easter egg hunt. If it is raining, your children do not have to be disappointed anymore. Start a new tradition this year.
Maybe you are wanting a little something different to bake for Easter dinner dessert. Want to impress your guests or family members with something new and different? Then you have come to the right place. These Easter Egg Cake Pops are absolutely perfect. I have taken them to Easter family gatherings before and never have any to take back home. Kids are always asking their parents for 2nds, 3rds, and even 4ths.
Another fun part about these Easter egg cake pops is that your children can help with decorating them. This would be a really fun activity to do on Easter Sunday. I am not saying to get away from dyeing boiled eggs. That tradition should never die. I have many fond memories of dyeing eggs as a child with my mother and sister. Decorating cake pops though would also be a fun activity.
You will also want to check out these Easter Bunny Cake Pops that would also be adorable sitting on your dessert table. Also place them in a basket and give an Easter basket to someone special.
Go ahead and gather all your ingredients and supplies that you will need ahead of time to make it easier for you.
Ingredients and Supplies:
Uncoated cake balls
Paper straws or lollipop sticks- I found some green and white striped paper straws at Michaels that were very adorable. I also like the green stripe to appear as grass under the egg once they are decorated.
Candy melts- I used orange because I had some on hand that needed to be used. I have also used white like a traditional egg or bright yellow also looks great. Any color is perfect though because plastic eggs come in so many different colors.
Corn syrup
Paintbrush
Sprinkles- Any kind is great to use to decorate the egg with.
Cake pop stand
If you do not know the basic principles of making a cake pop, then you will need to visit How to Make a Basic Cake Pop. Instead of rolling the cake into a ball shape, you will need to form an oval egg shape. Just be sure to return here to finish making the Easter Egg Cake Pop.
Once your cake balls are rolled into an oval egg shape, you are now ready to start dipping.
First melt your candy melts according to package instructions. Be careful not to overheat due to scorching the candy and no longer being able to use.
Once the candy melts have melted and are smooth, you are ready to start dipping. Dip your paper straw or lollipop stick about ½ inch into candy melts before inserting into egg. This extra step will help the paper straw and egg adhere together better once the candy melts harden inside the egg. You will not want to skip this extra step especially when you go to dip the egg and do not want to egg to slide off the paper straw into your melted candy.
Insert the dipped end of the paper straw into the egg about half way. Do not insert too far to avoid egg crumbling apart.
Dip your egg into the candy melts turning as you need to to be sure the egg is entirely covered.
Gently tap your egg on the side of the bowl or with your hand to remove any excess candy coating. This will also help to achieve a smooth finish on the outside of your egg. Be careful though not to tap the stick to hard or your egg will fall off the stick into the melted candy.
Place the dipped egg cake pop into your cake pop stand and allow to harden before decorating.
Continue dipping the rest of your egg cake pops and let the candy coating all harden.
You are now ready to decorate the eggs. Using corn syrup and a paintbrush, paint the corn syrup onto the egg in different patterns. Do not paint too much corn syrup on at one time. First of all the corn syrup will drip down the egg if too thick. Secondly the corn syrup will dry quickly. Even though it may still be sticky, the sprinkles will not stick as well if you do not put them on immediately.
I used all different bright colored sugar sprinkles and confetti sprinkles. Be creative with this part. Your kids will also love being able to help you in the kitchen. The kids can really use their imagination with this part. What child does not love sprinkles!
Place your Easter eggs into the cake pop stand and allow the corn syrup to fully dry. It may seem sticky at first but will become less sticky with time. The sprinkles also help to rid of any gooey or sticky mess.
Once your corn syrup has dried, place your Easter eggs into individual treat bags if you would like to. I tied mine off with shiny silver twist ties. You could also use a bright colored ribbon as well.
I hope you and your family will enjoy making these cake pops and maybe even find a new tradition for this blessed holiday. Also do not forget the real reason for all this celebrating and that is for our Lord and Savior. He is ALIVE and that is all we will ever need! What greater love is there honestly? I cannot think of any.
And as always, do not forget the little things in life!
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
Why not surprise your guests or family members this Easter with some Easter Bunny Cake Pops on the dessert table? I found these cute cake pops from Bakerella and just had to make them myself. These bunnies are easy to make and also very adorable. Everyone will love their adorable faces but also the deliciousness once biting down. Everyone is always eating chocolate bunnies but this year change it up a little with a bunny cake pop.
Go ahead and gather all your ingredients and supplies that you will need ahead of time to make it easier for you.
Ingredients and Supplies:
Uncoated cake balls
Paper straws or lollipop sticks- You can find so many different designs and varieties of paper straws now at Michaels, Joann, Hobby Lobby, and other craft stores which really adds some extra cuteness. I had some leftover pink paper straw with white polka dots that I used for some which matched great with the pink used on the cake pop.
White candy melts or chocolate
Pastel candy corn- I found a bag of candy corn from Valentine’s Day that was still good and used it. The tip of the candy corn was red, and then pink and white. Go ahead and cut off the red from the top and use the pink and white for the bunny ears.
Edible markers- Blue, black, and pink
White confetti sprinkles
Large heart sprinkles
Corn syrup
Paintbrush
Cake pop stand
If you do not know the basic principles of making a cake pop, then you will need to visit How to Make a Basic Cake Pop. Instead of rolling the cake into a ball shape, you will need to form a triangular shape for the bunny head. Just be sure to return here to finish making the Easter Bunny Cake Pop.
Once you have your cake balls formed into a triangular shape, go ahead and melt your white candy melts in the microwave according to package instructions. Be careful not to overheat too fast and scorch your candy melts.
Now that your candy melts are melted and smooth, let’s not waste anytime dipping. Dip a paper straw or lollipop stick about ½ inch into the candy.
Then insert the lollipop stick into the bottom, which is the wide end below the point of the triangle, about half way. Be careful not to insert too far through and cause the cake ball to break apart.
Dip your cake pop in the white candy melts to coat completely. Carefully tap off any excess chocolate for a smooth finish.
Before the candy coating hardens, go ahead and attach the large heart sprinkle onto the middle of the bunny head for the nose. Be sure to place the heart right side up.
If your candy coating has still not hardened, place your candy corn ears on the top of the bunny head with the pink, wider end facing down. You may want to hold the ears in place for several seconds until candy coating has hardened and ears have attached which should not take long.
Place in your cake pop stand to finish hardening and to move on to the rest of your cake pops.
Continue dipping and decorating the rest of your cake pops.
Once you have finished the dipping and attaching the nose and ears, you are now ready to make the eyes of the bunny. I know so far they may look a little silly but these eyes and extra details are going to make a difference.
Using the blue edible marker, draw a circle on the white confetti sprinkles for the first part of the eye. Then draw a black smaller circle in the middle of the blue circle for the pupil of the eye.
Now let’s attach those eyes and give those bunnies something to look a little more complete. Corn syrup is like edible glue. You will use it and the paintbrush to attach the eyes to each cake pop. Be sure the use a new paintbrush or one that is designated solely for kitchen use. Dab a small amount with the paintbrush above the nose and attach each eye. Do not put too much corn syrup on the cake pop, or it will begin to run down the face.
Another option would be to have your eyes drawn on the white confetti sprinkles before starting and then attaching before the candy coating hardens like we did with the nose and ears. I have found that because the eyes are so small, that when I have attached while the candy coating is still hot, that the eyes end up sinking into the coating and not giving a smooth finish. Also the candy coating begins to harden which does not give a sturdy attachment for all the eyes or ears and nose.
Using the black edible marker, draw two small lines on the outside of each eye for eyelashes if you would like to. I feel it just gives a little something extra to that adorable bunny face.
Now the last part is to draw the mouth. Using the pink edible marker, start at the tip of the heart, which is the bottom of the nose, and draw a line down and then curve upward. The mouth will essentially also look like the handle of an umbrella if that gives an image to help you know how to draw the mouth.
Now aren’t those just adorable. Almost too cute that you don’t want to eat them. Wait a minute, probably not that cute when you think about how delicious they will be. I am sure these will be the talk of the family during your Easter feast this year. Display them in an Easter basket with Easter grass for an extra cute touch. These bunny cake pops are also very cute to use for a kid’s Easter party or Easter egg hunt. I hope you have as much fun as I did baking and decorating these sweet little bunnies.
And as always, don’t forget the little things in life. Have a blessed Easter weekend as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and Lord that gave His life for us so that we may live eternally in Heaven with Him one day. God bless y’all!
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
Of course it is March and that can only mean that you want to make some March Madness basketball cake pops? Well, besides that Spring has finally sprung, March Madness has arrived. My husband loves college basketball and could probably sit and watch every game (much like many of your husbands as well). As a matter of fact, it really does not matter what sport it is for my husband to love a good game.
Well while I am sitting on the couch watching basketball with him, I was actually enjoying the games which I am afraid to admit out loud to him. Lol! But I also had a great idea. The basketball is round and cake pops are round so why not combine the two. See how baking and cake pops start to change your whole perspective on everything in life. I am always looking for ways to turn things into edible deliciousness. I also wanted to surprise him because I know how much he does love sports. His favorite team is the Duke Blue Devils so I decided to surprise him with a Duke theme or colored cake pop.
Now back to the cake pops. What could be simpler than making basketball cake pops? Not too much as a matter of fact. All you need to begin with is a basic knowledge of making cake pops.
But first before we begin, be sure to have all your ingredients and supplies ready to go.
Ingredients and Supplies:
A baked cake- flavor of your choice
Icing- Choose icing that corresponds with your cake flavor appropriately.
Lollipop sticks or paper straws
Orange colored candy melts- I also used royal blue for Duke but any team color would be great except I do not know why you would want to cheer for any other team than Duke. Lol!
Black edible marker- I prefer AmeriColor brand which I found in a pack at Joann.
Cake Pop Stand
If you do not know the basic principles of making a cake pop, then you will need to visit How to Make a Basic Cake Pop. Just be sure to use the supplies listed above and return here to finish making the basketball.
You should have your cake balls already formed and orange candy melts melted. You will want to dip your lollipop stick or paper straws in the candy melts about ½ inch at the bottom before inserting into cake ball. This will help cake ball to adhere better to lollipop stick when dipping in candy melts.
You will notice that I used black and white striped paper straws for this project. I love the way the paper straws match the basketball theme with having referees that wear the black and white stripe shirts. I know it may seem cheesy but still cute.
Now you are ready to dip those cake pops. Dip your cake pop into the candy melts being sure to evenly coat the cake. If you have melted enough candy melts, then dip your cake pop straight down until fully coated and lift directly out. If you do not have enough melted to do so or begin to run low after dipping several, I always dip mine in at an angle and continue to turn and dip until fully coated.
Gently tap or shake cake pop to remove any excess candy melt and achieve a smooth coating.
Let’s move on to the fun part of creating the actual basketball appearance. You will now need your black edible marker. I use AmeriColor Gourmet Writers and love them. I have tried Wilton edible markers that worked but seemed to not want to write after only using for a short time. I had much better results with AmeriColor. Start with drawing a line from one bottom of the cake pop at the stick to the direct opposite bottom.
The next line is directly in the center of the cake pop around the entire diameter.
The outside lines of the basketball can be trickier. Where the two lines you have already drawn intersect, move to the right just a little and draw a half circle up to the other side of the cake pop being sure to stop at the middle line with the same distance from the intersecting lines on the opposite side. Then continue down to complete the side circle and finish where you first started. Move to the left side and follow the same directions.
I had to practice on several in order to get the correct drawing technique down. My first one looked more like a beach ball. The second one’s lines were not equally spaced and just looked a little lop-sided. Haha. Oh well, the rest of them turned out great and I love the way they look.
I also dipped half of my cake pops in melted royal blue candy melts which melted with the perfect color of blue for Duke. Instead of drawing a basketball, I sprinkled white crystal sprinkles on top of course to coordinate with Duke’s colors. Duke’s main colors are blue and black so the black and white striped paper straws also worked great with these.
Another idea would be to write the abbreviations for your favorite college team. With Duke, a large “D” would be especially neat.
As you may know already, Duke has already lost and is out of the March Madness tournament much to my husband’s disappointment. I went ahead and made these cake pops anyways to celebrate and show his continued support. There is always next year. Plus you cannot win every game right?
Plus there are more important things in life than winning a game. I saw a news story the other day on TV that will give you a whole new perspective on life. It truly made me think about what really matters in life. According to ABC news, a Michigan State basketball player befriends a cancer survivor. Michigan State player Adreian Payne visited now cancer survivor Lacey Holsworth in the hospital two years ago with his team. Lacey was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and underwent chemotherapy. The two have stayed in touch ever since with Lacey calling him her big brother. During such a hard time, Payne has been an inspiration to her. She as well has inspired Payne and was allowed to cut down the net after Michigan State won a championship game.
Lacey will be going through a new medical study at the University of Michigan later this year. The study will be using antibodies to attempt to continue treating the cancer. The cancer is advanced and she is needing any support she can receive. A fundraiser was started to assist with the medical expenses. If you have been inspired, please donate to this cause by visiting the fundraiser page.
https://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/March-Madness-Cake-Pops-14.jpg452650Bethanyhttps://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo_freelance.pngBethany2014-03-29 21:59:582015-06-22 23:47:02How to Make March Madness Basketball Cake Pops
Have you tried cake pops and wanna change it up a bit? Never made cake pops and want to learn how to make basic cake balls first? Either way you are guaranteed to love this bite-size treat. Not only are they delicious but are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. And isn’t that what our baking is all about.
Mini cupcake liners are also what makes cake balls so adorable. You can make a simple cake ball really pop and dress it up with your liner. Mini cupcake liners can be found easily in so many different colors and designs. That little extra touch is really my favorite part (except of course for the eating part).
Ingredients and Supplies:
A baked cake- choose your particular favorite. I choose chocolate and strawberry this time.
Icing- pair your cake of course with icing that complements it, ex: chocolate with chocolate icing and strawberry with cream cheese icing.
Melting chocolate or candy melts- in the color of your choosing
Sprinkles- or any other edible decoration
Mini cupcake liners
Wax paper- or non-stick aluminum foil
First you will need to crumble your cake into a fine, potting soil texture. Getting your cake to crumble into this mixture is easiest done by rubbing the cake against another piece.
If you are needing a certain amount of cake balls, I usually can make about 11-12 from ¼ of a 13×9 inch cake. I bake my cakes in a 13×9 inch pan always for easier measurement. It is also easy to freeze the leftover cake that you may not need right away by dividing it in 4 sections. I wrap each section in saran wrap tightly first and then in foil. Also do not forget to write the date and the type of cake on the outside of the foil with a sharpie marker.
Once your cake has been crumbled completely, add your icing. The icing may want to stick to your spoon but just keep working it into the cake and it will eventually be mixed in evenly. I use about 1 “rounded over” tablespoon for every ¼ of cake. Sometimes more and sometimes less. It will also depend on the moistness of your cake. Be careful with adding to much icing to begin with. If your cake has too much icing, the cake balls will not want to form their shape and will be too wet. It may seem at first that you will need more icing but continue to incorporate before assuming and adding more. Never forget you can always add more icing, but you cannot take it away.
Once you have a mixture that is holding its shape, begin rolling out your cake balls in the palm of your hand. I just use a simple tablespoon to measure out my cake. After several times of making cake balls and cake pops, I found an amount that I “eyeball” that forms the size I prefer. Usually my cake balls are about 1 inch in diameter which is the same for the cake pops.
Place your cake balls on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Do not let the cake balls become frozen as this will cause your candy coating to crack once it has hardened over the cake ball. You may also leave them in the refrigerator for several hours if you are busy and need to come back to finish them. The coldness will help you cake balls to retain their shape and make it easier when dipping.
While your cake balls are in the freezer, begin melting your chocolate or candy melts according to package instructions as different brands and types may differ. Melting at smaller intervals is the key with stirring the chocolate in between to avoid scorching your candy melts and having to throw away.
You may also add shortening in with 1 tsp at a time and mixing in well to assist with melting the chocolate more smoothly if you seem to be having difficulty with the candy melts melting completely.
Also be sure to melt enough candy melts that you are able to completely submerge your cake ball in order to have a smooth finish on the coating.
Now you are ready to dip those cake balls. Place your cake ball on a spoon and gently place it into the melted chocolate or candy melts. Be sure the cake ball is completely covered evenly. If not you can spoon some extra chocolate where needed.
Using your spoon, lift up your cake ball out of the candy melts. Shake your spoon back and forth and also tap on rim of bowl if needed to remove any excess candy melt.
Gently roll your cake ball off of the spoon onto wax paper or non-stick foil.
Don’t worry; once the chocolate has hardened then you will be able to lift it off easily with no problem. If your cake ball wants to stick to the spoon and seems to leave a blemish where the cake ball does not have a smooth finish all over, again do not worry. This is where sprinkles and edible decorations become your best friend. Use them to cover any problem spots.
Add your sprinkles or edible decoration of your choice immediately after placing on wax paper before chocolate hardens in order for sprinkles to adhere.
Wait until chocolate or candy melts have completely hardened and remove from the wax paper or non-stick foil. Place your finished cake balls into mini cupcake liners for that last perfect touch.
The mini cupcake liners in the photo below are Martha Stewart and were found on clearance in Joann. It is always a good idea when in Michaels, Joann, Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, or any other craft or grocery store to stop by the baking section for any clearance items. Mini cupcake liners are normally inexpensive but even better when found of clearance. I will usually grab several packs when I find them for a good deal just to keep on hand. Because you just don’t ever know.
Also below is a picture of the same color theme with cake pops and cake balls that just look like so much fun when placed on this amazing cake pop stand.
And as always do not forget to share your cake ball creations below with all of us and never forget to enjoy the little things in life! Happy Baking!
https://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Basic-Cake-Ball-10.jpg612816Bethanyhttps://www.thesoutherncouture.com/staging/3818/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo_freelance.pngBethany2014-03-27 20:47:002015-06-22 23:47:15How to Make Basic Cake Balls
