make it monday: cakepops

today's make it monday is something i've been enjoying making for a couple of years now. i'm pretty sure that anyone reading this blog knows that i love making:

CAKEPOPS!

although bakerella is the mastermind behind these creations, i wanted to give you a step-by-step on how i make them, in case you've never tried.

STEP ONE:
make a cake.


i have always used a box cake mix to make cakepops, but you can definitely use a homemade cake as well. the fan favorite (and my favorite) cake frosting combo is funfetti with cream cheese frosting. but i have also used chocolate cake, yellow cake and red velvet cake with great success :)

TIP: a 9x13 cake will make approximately 50 cakepops. if you don't want to make that many, you can take 1/2 or even 1/4 cake and freeze the rest until you are ready to make them! just make sure to remember to use less frosting :)

STEP TWO:
once your cake is cooled, you need to crumble it in a bowl.





STEP THREE:
add some frosting. if you did an entire cake, you need to use about 3/4 a can of frosting. if you made 1/2 a cake, use about 1/2 a can of frosting.



mix well.



STEP FOUR:
once your cake is all mixed up with the frosting, roll them into balls, and place them on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.





STEP FIVE:
place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes, or in the fridge for 2-3 hours to let the cakeballs chill. you don't want them frozen, but you want them cold.


STEP SIX:

while the cakeballs are chilling, begin working on your candy melts (you can also use almond bark). i always use a mug to melt mine because i think it's easier to dip them in the taller mug rather than a bowl.
follow the directions on the bag to melt them. 1 min at 50% power, then 30 sec intervals until melted, stirring each time. don't over melt, but you want it smooth.

tip: if it's melted but still too thick, you can use a little bit of oil to thin it out :)





STEP SEVEN:
once the candy melts are ready and the cakeballs are chilled, dip a stick into the melts and then into the bottom of the cakeball. you can do them all and then give it a minute to harden. if you have put your cakeballs in the freezer, move them to the fridge and only work with a couple at a time at room temp so they don't get too warm.




STEP EIGHT:
pick up the stick with the cakeball on the end, and dip it straight into the mug. try to not let it touch the sides. lift it straight back up




tap it gently on the end of the mug to get the excess off.


STEP NINE:
while the candy covering is still wet, add any type of sprinkles you desire!


tip: sprinkle them over a bowl to catch the excess sprinkles to save.

let them dry. i use a green floral block with holes pre-punched in them. you can get the floral blocks at the dollar store or walmart for just a few dollars.


once they are dry, enjoy! :)


if you want to deliver them to someone, i recommend putting little bags on each one tied with ribbon. this helps keep them fresh as well as very cute presentation!



tip: although they don't recommend this, i've had great success keeping them in the fridge once they are made to keep them fresh a little longer, plus some people enjoy them as cold treats! :) play around with it to see what works for you.

they are fun little bites of yumminess on a stick and you should definitely make some when you get the chance! :) if you do, i'd love to see a picture! the basic cakeball with sprinkles is definitely the easiest and the one i'd recommend to get a feel for them. but the possibilities are endless. here are a few of the different types i've tried:



happy monday!