Buy me some Cake Pops?

Lets face it, ballpark food is awesome but peanuts and Cracker Jacks are not sufficient dessert when celebrating a birthday like we did at Camden Yard last night.  Since the birthday boy loves dessert, I took the opportunity to try my hand at cake pop baseballs.  My friend Royela, baker extraordinaire came over to guide me through the process.

Cake Pops the Original

Cake Pops the Remix

To get started you will need:
- one box of cake mix + ingredients to bake the cake (I used a Vanilla cake mix)
- one container of icing (Vanilla)
- one bag of Candy Melts (again Vanilla)
- Lollipop Sticks
- Florist foam block

1)  Bake the cake according to the box's instructions and let cool completely.   Cut into 4 pieces.

2) Pick up two pieces of cake and rub them together over a large bowl to create cake crumbs.  Break up any existing large pieces or edges with your hands.  Repeat with the other two pieces of cake.

3) Add a spatula of frosting to the bowl.  Mix the frosting evenly through the crumbs, add more if needed. You want the crumb mixture to be wet enough that you can form a ball in your hand without it falling apart.

4) Roll 1-2" wide cake balls from the crumb mixture.  Royela  tip: you can also use a small cookie /ice cream scoop to do this.  Place rolled balls on a lined baking sheet or in Tupperware containers.

5) Place cake balls in the freezer for 15 minutes to set.  Note: You can leave them in the freezer or fridge to use another day, just make sure they are covered.

6) Use a narrow, deep vessel to melt your candy melts in, I used a Pyrex measuring cup.

7) Dip one lollipop stick in the melted chocolate and insert into the cake pop.  The chocolate will glue the stick to the cake pop.  Royela tip: do not insert the stick too far into ball or the pop will fall apart when you dip it in the chocolate. True story, I lost four during cycle one.

8) Dip the cake pop into the melted chocolate, making sure to cover the entire ball, especially the area around the stick.   Once full coverage is achieved, hold the pop perpendicular to the Pyrex in one hand, and with the other hand tap your wrist to drip excess chocolate off the pop.

9)  Stick completed pops in floral foam to dry.  Leave the pops Au natural or accessorize as you see fit.  I poorly piped stitching on my cake pops to resemble baseballs.  Fortunately what they lacked in appearance, they made up for in taste and cuteness.  They are much easier the second time around, as seen in the Remix photo.

For additional cake pop inspiration visit Bakerella's website, it's a feast for the eyes!  Bakerella also provides a tutorial here if you want additional instructions.  Have you tried cake pops?