Looking for a show-stopping dessert that combines the best of cake and lollies? Cake pops are your answer! These delightful bite-sized treats have taken the world by storm, and it's easy to see why. Ever since Starbucks introduced their cake pops, these sweet spheres of joy have become a must-have at parties, celebrations, and sweet tables across Australia.
Whether you're planning a birthday bash or wedding celebration or just fancy trying something new in the kitchen, we've got you covered with our foolproof guide to making perfect cake pops every time. From choosing the right ingredients to mastering the art of dipping, we'll walk you through every step of creating these irresistible treats.
Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about what cake pops actually are. Simply put, cake pops are balls of crumbled cake mixed with frosting, mounted on lollipop sticks, and dipped in chocolate or candy coating. Think of them as a cross between a truffle and a cupcake on a stick!
What makes cake pops so special is their versatility. You can create them in any flavour combination imaginable, decorate them to match any theme, and they're perfectly portioned for individual servings. Plus, they're much easier to serve and eat than traditional cake – no plates or forks required!
Discover the art of creating delightful homemade cake pops with our easy-to-follow step-by-step guide. From mixing the perfect batter to creative decorating tips, learn how to make every occasion sweeter with these bite-sized treats!
Prepare and bake the cake according to the package or recipe instructions.
Using your clean hands or a food processor, crumble the cooled cake finely into a large bowl.
Add about ⅓ to ½ cup of frosting to the crumbs and mix thoroughly until the mixture resembles a dough, moist but not soggy.
Scoop out 1-1.5 tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls.
Place the balls on a baking paper-lined tray.
Place these in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours until they are firm. If you need to speed up the process, freeze cake pops for around 15-20 minutes.
Once firm, remove your cake pops from the fridge or freezer and gently insert a stick into the middle of the ball so they resemble little lollipops.
Now comes the fun part. Dip each pop into your melted coating and gently swirl to achieve even coverage.
You can either choose homemade frosting, butter cream or even melted chocolate to cover your cake balls.
Keep twirling as you remove it from the coating and let any excess drip off.
Place these upside down or upright into a stand and add any sprinkles while they are still wet to ensure they stick.
Once set, your cake pops are ready to be packaged, displayed, or enjoyed! You can also wrap them in treat bags and tie them with ribbon for gifts.
Vanilla Cake + Vanilla or Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Cake Pops + Chocolate Ganache or Fudge Frosting
Red Velvet Cake + Cream Cheese Frosting
Funfetti Cake + Vanilla Frosting - Perfect for kids' birthdays
Lemon Cake Pops + White Chocolate Frosting
Strawberry Cake + Cream Cheese + White Chocolate Coating
Carrot Cake + Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Cake + Mint Frosting + Dark Chocolate Coating
Espresso Cake + Mocha Frosting + Chocolate Coating
1. Smooth Coating Technique
2. Drizzle Designs
3. Sprinkles & Toppings
5. Edible Paint & Pens
6. Using Fondant or Modelling Chocolate
8. Themed Moulds & Shaping
9. Display & Presentation Tips
You can store your cake pops at room temperature in an airtight container for 1-2 days. The fridge can cause condensation, making the coating sticky or causing colours and decorations to run. If you need to store them in the fridge for a longer period, wait until they cool completely, then pop them in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb any moisture.
If you want to make the balls in advance, uncoated cake pops will freeze perfectly fine. Be sure to individually wrap each cake pop in cling wrap and place them in a zip-lock bag. When you’re ready, just pop them in the fridge to thaw out.
Make sure the cake is completely cool before crumbling. Remove any caramelised edges from light coloured cakes so your pops are speckle-free.
Don’t add too much frosting—it’ll make the pops too soft, which will cause breakage.
If your cake balls have cracks, it's possible that you didn't use enough frosting in your mixture.
Use a melon baller, ice cream scoop, or kitchen scales to ensure each ball is the same portion size.
Work in small batches to keep cake balls chilled while dipping.
If the coating cracks, try letting the pops come to room temperature before dipping. You want them cool but not cold
Use a deep container for dipping so that the whole pop is covered; a coffee cup is ideal.
To cover any imperfections in your finished cake pop, use extra candy coating, chocolate, and/or sprinkles.
The great thing about cake pops is that they are versatile and can be the perfect treat at every event or occasion. With so many different flavours and design possibilities, your options are effectively endless. You can get creative and practise some more intricate piping techniques, such as drop lines, small dots, and flowers.
Christmas: Snowmen, Santa, Christmas trees and baubles.
Easter: Bunnies, chicks, speckled egg colours.
Halloween: Mummies, pumpkins, eyeballs.
Valentine's Day: Hearts, sprinkles, red and pink coating.
Baby Showers: Pink/blue with little booties or rattles. You can use either pink or blue cake mix so the inside of the cake pop reveals the baby's gender.
Weddings: Use a mixture of white and dark chocolate and create little tuxedo designs. Use White chocolate and white sugar pearls for the Bride
Engagement: Cover the cake pops in White chocolate and add some gold edible dust for a touch of sparkle.
Sports: Use team colours or decorate them as sports balls.
Now you're equipped with all the knowledge needed to create perfect cake pops! Remember, practice makes perfect, and even if your first batch isn't Instagram-worthy, it'll still taste amazing - we promise there won't be any cake crumbs left!
Start with basic recipes and techniques, then let your creativity soar as you master the basics. And if you need any supplies, check out our full range of cake pop-making equipment and decorating supplies in our online store.
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