Katie's Crafty Cakes

Bake a Large Cake and split it into 4 (each section will do about 15 Cake Pops (If you don't want to do that many then you can freeze the sections you don't use for another time). This was my own regular cake mixture recipe but you can buy the boxed packages or just a plain madiera sponge or any other type of sponge cake, depending on your preference.

Crumble the cake into breadcrumbs and stir in about 3/4 of a tub of icing (or your own homemade icing) Do it bit by bit until the mixture sticks together but it not too wet. It needs to be able to be roll into balls. Icing amounts will vary depending on how much cake you use.

Roll mixture into balls and place in the fridge covered with cling film for several hours or in the freezer for about 15 minutes. You want the balls to be firm but not frozen.

While you are doing that you can prepare the candy melts. Candy melts are perfect for dipping if melted correctly. There are a few tips;

Melt in a melting pot or double boiler slowly until melted and runny consistency

or

Microwave slowly in a microwavable dish, the defrost mode is particularly good as it does it slowly. Keep blasting it for 10 second intervals and stir in between, the dish stays warm so helps melt the candy in between. The first time i tried to melt candy melts I burnt them horribly so slowly melting them is the key!

If your candy melts have been lying about for a few weeks and have been opened they may not melts as thinly for dipping, try adding a little vegetable oil to it to thin it out. Works a treat.

Before dipping the cake pops I quickly inserted all the sticks into the balls by dipping the stick in the melted candy. Then I went on dipping them into the candy melts. It is important to dip and not mix the ball in the candy as the ball will just come off the stick and you'll be left with a right mess. I found this video really handy for seeing the techniques used. Dip and then tap of the excess candy on the side of the dish until in stops dripping. Stick in a foam block to set is best. You need to move quickly before the candy starts to harden in the bowl, if this happens again just give it a quick 10 mins in the microwave and stir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXCm7XTKXRc

I made quite a few the first time I did them for a 30th Birthday Party. I did Green ones and...

White ones. You can then go onto decorate with a piping bag.

You can then keep Cake Pops in the fridge in an airtight container up to a few days. To display you can wrap a foam block in fancy wrapping paper and place them in it or tie them up with cellophane bags and ribbon and place in a jar with sweets in it. Possibilities are endless.

Watch this space for more cake pops from me around Xmas time!