Cake Pops are an international phenomenon and Christmas is the perfect time to have some fun with these cute-as reindeer treats that are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
Once you know how to make a basic cake pop, it’s easy to start making the projects in this book or create your own designs.
basic cake pops
(Makes 48 Cake Pops)
You’ll need:
- 520g box cake mix
- 23 x 33cm cake pan
- 455g container decorator icing
or buttercream icing - 1.4kg candy coating/candy melts
- 48 lollipop sticks
- Styrofoam block
- Bake the cake as directed on the box (or bake your own cake), using the cake pan. Let cool completely.
- Crumble the cake into a large bowl.
- Add up to three-quarters of the container of icing and mix it into the crumbled cake, using the back of a large metal spoon, until thoroughly combined.
- The mixture should be moist enough to roll into 4cm balls and still hold a round shape. After rolling the cake balls by hand, place them on the baking sheets covered with wax paper and let them rest for about 20 minutes before chilling.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for several hours in the refrigerator, or place them in the freezer for about 15 minutes. You want the balls to be firm but not frozen.
- Melt the candy coating according to package instructions and place in a deep bowl. The coating should be about 7.5 cm deep for easier dipping. Take a few cake balls to start dipping with, keeping the rest chilled in the refrigerator.
- One at a time, dip about 12mm of the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy coating, and then insert the lollipop stick straight into a cake ball, pushing it no more than halfway through.
- Holding the lollipop stick with cake ball attached, dip the entire cake ball into the melted candy coating until it is completely covered, and remove it in one motion. Make sure the coating meets at the base of the lollipop stick. This helps secure the cake ball to the stick.
- The thinner the consistency of your coating, the easier it will be. If too thick, add some vegetable oil to help make the coating more fluid.
- Stick the cake pop into the Styrofoam block, repeat with the remaining cake balls and let the pops dry completely in the Styrofoam block.
red-nosed reindeer POPs
To make the Red-Nosed Reindeers (pictured), you need: pretzels or mini pretzel twists, red peanut M&Ms or jaffas, miniature white confetti sprinkles and black edible-ink pen (for the dots on the white eyes). Use toothpicks and drops of candy coating to attach the decorations like glue.
Candy coating is available in cake-supply stores, some craft stores and online, but you can also try melting regular chocolate, and use shortening or paramount crystals to make it easier to dip. (Be aware though that chocolate does not set as hard as candy coating does, so can be less suitable for supporting cake pops on their sticks.)
(Abridged) extract provided with kind permission of Chronicle Books and Bookreps.
Cake Pops Christmas by Bakerella
Author: Angie Dudley
RRP $19.99
www.bookreps.co.nz
Chronicle Books
more Christmas recipes from tots to teens:
