Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Holiday Cake Pops


It is time to start cranking up my festive baking. With Christmas carols ringing in my ear, I couldn't resist a go at these cake pops any longer...

"Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree"
"Frosty the snowman, was a jolly happy soul"
I love cake pops, and I'm a huge fan of Bakerella and her amazing cake pop designs. I went to her book signing at Williams-Sonoma back in October, and had the pleasure of meeting Angie (aka Bakerella). After flipping through this adorable book, I knew I had to add these delightful treats to my holiday baking list. So, I decided to invest in some materials and dedicate a nice chunk of time to this baking project.
This book has great designs for any occasion, but the holiday section is my favorite. This was my very first attempt at cake pops, and I had a blast making them... and sharing them... and most of all eating them! :) I went with a white cake mix and classic vanilla frosting, dipped in vanilla flavored candy. (Yum!) You can use whichever flavor combination you choose... I may have to make some red velvet ones for an upcoming holiday party.

These cake pops were a huge hit! I can't wait to try other designs... which means there will be more baked goodness for me to enjoy, and of course more to share. :)

What You'll Need
1 box cake mix (I always prefer Duncan Hines cake mixes)
1 (16 oz) container ready-made frosting
24 oz (1 1/2 lbs) white candy coating
24 oz (1 1/2 lbs) dark green candy coating
2 deep, microwave safe plastic bowls
24 Lollipop sticks
12 x 18-in block of styrofoam, at least 2 inches thick
Toothpicks
12 yellow jumbo star sprinkles
Multicolored rainbow chip sprinkles
12 orange rainbow chip sprinkles
36 blue miniature confetti sprinkles
Black edible ink pen
Small squeeze bottle
12 mini Oreos halves
12 large dark chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli chocolate chips)

Directions 
Bake cake as directed on the box, using a 9 x 13-in cake pan. Let cool completely. This step can be done in advance.

You will need a couple of hours to complete this project. Organize your materials and get ready to crumble, roll, dip and decorate your cake pops!
Prepare your block of styrofoam before you start dipping your cake pops, so it it will be ready when you need it. Use a lollipop stick to poke holes about 2 inches apart in the top of the block (do not poke holes all the way through).
Now lets get going on these pops! Crumble the cooled cake into a large mixing bowl. You can do this easily by hand... Cut the cake into four equal sections.
 Remove one section from the pan.
Break section in half, and rub the two halves together over the large bowl.
Repeat with each section. Make sure to crumble any large pieces of cake still remaining. You can use a fork to help with this.
Add 3/4 of the container of frosting.
Mix it into the crumbled cake, using the back of a large medal spoon until thoroughly combined. Note: Do not use the entire can of frosting or the pops will be too moist.
Your now ready to start molding your pops. Line two baking sheets with wax paper. Roll cake mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls. Form 12 balls into cone shapes for the Christmas Trees. Place baking sheet into the freezer for 15 minutes. You want molds to be firm, but not frozen.
In the meantime, form 12 more balls into pear shapes for the Snowmen. Remove Christmas Tree molds from freezer (you can place in refrigerator until ready to use) and place the Snowmen molds in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Unfortunately, I do not have anymore step-by-step photos for you because the dipping and decorating process required me to work swiftly while using both of my hands. One day I'll figure out how to grow my third arm so I can snap pictures along the way. :)

Christmas Tree Cake Pops

Melt green candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl as directed on the package. Make sure you have enough melted candy to completely submerge your cake pops in one dunk.

When you are ready to begin dipping, remove a handful of molds from the refrigerator, keeping the rest chilled. Dip 1/2 inch of the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy coating, and insert the stick straight into the bottom of the mold, pushing no more than halfway through. Dip the cake pop into the melted candy coating and lightly tap off any excess coating. Before the coating sets, drag a toothpick gently down the sides of the tree to create the branches. Then place a yellow jumbo star on top of the tree.

Place in styrofoam block to allow coating to set completely.

When trees are dry, use a toothpick to apply dots of melted green candy coating to the trees in places where you want ornaments, and attach multicolored rainbow chip sprinkles.

Return to styrofoam block to dry completely.

Snowmen Cake Pops

Melt white candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl as directed on the package. Make sure you have enough melted candy to completely submerge your cake pops in one dunk.

When you are ready to begin dipping, remove a handful of molds from the refrigerator, keeping the rest chilled. Dip 1/2 inch of the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy coating, and insert the stick straight into the bottom of the mold, pushing no more than halfway through. Dip the cake pop into the melted candy coating and lightly tap off any excess coating. Before the coating sets, place orange rainbow chip sprinkle in position of the nose and hold in place for a few seconds.

Place in styrofoam block to allow coating to set completely.

When snowmen are dry, use a toothpick to apply dots of melted white in candy coating in position for buttons and attach 3 blue confetti sprinkles to each snowman.

Draw on eyes and a dotted smile with an edible black ink pen.

To make the top hats, pour the remaining melted coating into small squeeze bottle. Squeeze a small amount of coating onto flat side of mini Oreo halves, and push one chocolate chip (pointed side down) into the center of the coating. Once you have made all the hats, attach them by squeezing a small amount of candy coating onto the very top of the snowman's head and place hat on top.

Dry completely in styrofoam block.

Source: Cake Pops by Bakerella

Now your cake pops are complete. Enjoy!

"Have a holly jolly Christmas!"

17 comments:

Sandra on December 8, 2010 at 11:29 PM said...

How cute is that? amazing photos, and recipe..

Cristina - TeenieCakes on December 9, 2010 at 2:09 AM said...

These are little works of art! A fantastic post with your supporting images and taking the scary/intimidation of making them into doable fun and edible projects. I'm going to have to check out that book.

Beautifully and festive. My nephews would luv these holiday pops!

garlutti on December 9, 2010 at 3:16 AM said...

Que idea tan fabulosa los muñecos de navidad con palito ... me encanta saludos desde VIGO -GALICIA ESPAÑA .MARIMI

Amy Bakes Everything on December 9, 2010 at 5:11 AM said...

So, so cute! I love Bakerella, she's amazing!

Carolyn on December 9, 2010 at 5:41 AM said...

These are adorable and I actually have some leftover cake in the freezer. Might not get to these before Xmas but definitely after, the kids would love them! I am saving this and i buzzed it too.

Luna's Recipes on December 9, 2010 at 7:08 AM said...

Awww.. Wow adorable are these!!!... I have to try this!.. Thank you very much for sharing such a cute recipe! All the best. Luna

Evan @swEEts on December 9, 2010 at 4:59 PM said...

I am so impressed! Your cake pops turned out near perfect! Bakerella would be proud I'm sure :) They almost look too cute to eat!

Rachel Warner on December 9, 2010 at 6:51 PM said...

Your pops turned out so cute!!

BakingWithoutaBox on December 9, 2010 at 6:54 PM said...

These are soooo friggin cute! They are so perfect. What an amazing job!

Torviewtoronto on December 9, 2010 at 7:10 PM said...

festive cake pops and pictures

Green Girl @ A little bit of everything on December 9, 2010 at 11:33 PM said...

Wow, love your edible work of art. I'm going to steal your idea and make them for Christmas. Thanks for sharing
hope you're having a wonderful week

Vicki Wilde on December 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM said...

These are super cute! I love your snowmen! I've yet to give cake pops a try, but they would make the perfect holiday gift.

Danielle on December 14, 2010 at 3:48 PM said...

Those are too cute! You did such a great job on them!!

Carla Meine on December 15, 2010 at 11:24 PM said...

I love cake pops. I'm making snowmen this year using 3 balls and attaching them together like you do when you make a real snowman. I'll let you know how that turns out. What did you use for the nose?

Lindsey on December 16, 2010 at 1:08 AM said...

Hi Carla, thanks for visiting! I used an orange rainbow chip sprinkle for the nose. Thank you for asking because it seemed as though one of my steps wasn't published, but I have added it back. Have fun making your cake pops!

Anonymous said...

the boys LOVED them!!!!!! thank you again!!!

Rachel on January 18, 2011 at 11:07 PM said...

These are super adorable! You did a wonderful job. Thank you for the illustrative how-to. I've been dying to try my hand at cake pops. And thank you for befriending on Foodbuzz. :)

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