Cake Pops!

Ingredients

• Cake
• Buttercream
• Cake pop sticks
• Candy Melts
• Sprinkles of your choice
• Styrofoam board

Recipe

Add the cake in a large bowlGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Crumble it and add a tablespoon of buttercream at a time until the cake is moist enough to roll a ball, yet thick enough to keep its formGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Roll the mixture into small tight ballsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Chill until neededGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Melt the candy melts in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring until completely meltedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Make sure you have enough chocolate to completely cover the cake ball when dippingGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Dip the tip of the sticks into the melted candy and insert it into the cake balls about half wayGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Freeze the balls for about 30 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. This step will help the ball stay on the stickGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Remove and let sit for 10 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Begin by dipping the cake balls into the melted candy in a swirling motion until completely coveredGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Continue slowly swirling the stick to allow any excess candy to drip offGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Tap gently if neededGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Add the sprinkles while the chocolate is still wetGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. It will harden quickly seeing as the cake pop is coldGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Stick the decorated cake pop into a styrofoam block or place up-side down on a clean flat surfaceGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Buttercream for 24 cupcakes

Makes 4 cups (Cover and save any leftover buttercream in the refrigerator until next timeGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. It will last for up to a month)

Ingredients

• 250 grGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. butter
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 2 tbspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. vanilla extract
• 2 tbspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. milk or heavy cream

Method

Beat the butter on medium speed scraping the bowl frequently until light and fluffyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. This could take up to 10 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Add the sugar at once and beat for a further 15 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Increase the speed, again, scraping the bowl frequentlyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. When the mixture turns white, add the vanilla and milk until well combinedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Tips

• Use leftover cake, a ready baked cake or use any cake recipe from Give Me Astoria’s previous weeks
• One small pack of candy melts makes about 15 popsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Go easy on the buttercreamGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Cakes are already moistGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Too much cream can ruin the mixtureGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• It helps to mix the mixture with your hands so that you can get the feel of itGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Make sure there are no lumpsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture so that you will have equal portionsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Do not dip the pops if they are too coldGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Doing so will make them crackGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Do not dip the pops if they are not cold enough or they will fall apartGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• A block of styrofoam makes a great holder to stick the cake pops in while they are dryingGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Using chocolate chips is also good for this but tempering the chocolate may be trickyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. You would need to add fat like oil or shortening to help the chocolateGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. It is also very difficult to color chocolateGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. You may end up with a crumbly messGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. For beginners, I would definitely stick to candy meltsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

And there you have it! Cake pops! Post your pics and tag us and !