Cake Pop FAQ - Part 1

Like with all things fantabulous, there are Frequently Asked Questions.  In this post, I will try and answer some.

1. How are Cake Pops made?

Bakerella has a short but wonderfully explained How-To video.

2. What are your Cake Pop Tips?

I have four basic tips:

Tip #1. Less is More: I use this phrase a lot when I make cake pops. This phrase applies to may things.  For starters, when it comes to making cake pops in general, less is more.  Cake pops are tiny, so keep it simple.  Since cake pops are so small, you want to limit the flavors and textures.  When it comes to adding your frosting to the cake crumbles, remember, less is more.  You can always add more but you can never take it out.  And when it comes to adding toppings/sprinkles to the cake pops after dipping in candy coating, remember: less is more. 

Tip #2. 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil: Most cake mixes will tell you to use 1/3 or 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in the mixture.  I find this makes your cake way too oily.  No matter what type of cake I bake, I always change the recipe from whatever is suggested to 2 tbsp only.  This makes the cake taste great, but less oily.  If your cake balls are too oily, little specks of oil will start to escape from the cake balls once they are coated with candy-coating.  Less oil will minimize this occurrence

Tip #3. 50% Heat: When it comes time to melt your candy coating, ALWAYS heat it in the microwave using 50% heat.  If you do this on 100% heat, it will 100% burn/fry/ruin your candy melts.  And this would suck.  This was a mistake I made the 2nd time I made cake pops and I almost cried.

Tip #4. Chilled, Not Frozen: Before dipping your cake balls into your candy coating, you want them chilled, not frozen.  I usually stick mine 10 at a time on a small plate into the Freezer.  But only for about 6-7 minutes.  Chilled, not frozen!

3. Are you going to make some How-To-Videos?

Someday...

4. I've seen a Cake Pop Pan on TV/At Bed Bath & Beyond. Is that how you make Cake Pops?

No. While I acknowledge people have different tastes, that pan basically creates little balls of very dry cake.  Cake pops are supposed to be a moist and delicious confection, not a dry and messy one.  The end product with making cake pops the right way will taste that much more delicious.

5. Hey, any chance you can make cake pops with Alcohol in them?

For the love of God, No.  Cake, frosting, candy coating, lollipop stick.  No room for alcohol.  Don't mess with perfection, people! 

6. I want to make some cake pops but am wary about how much it will cost. How much will it cost me to get started?

The cost of getting started will run you approximately $25-30.  You will need:

• Cake Mix and all the ingredients needed to bake a cake (I prefer to use Duncan Hines)
• Frosting (stay away from the Whipped varieties)
• Candy Melts (You can buy these at AC Moore or Michaels, they cost $2.50 a bag when they're not on sale. To get started, I would buy 2 bags in case you overheat/burn them).
• Lollipop Sticks
• Styrofoam Block (you need to buy one big enough to fit about 50 cake pops. The one I use is 12 x 18")
• Any type of sprinkles or toppings you need to fit the recipe. I typically stay away from Sanding Sugars only because the candy coating is SO sweet and adding sanding sugar only adds yet another layer of pure sugar.
• Mini Cookie Dough Scoop.  This is optional, however, I don't know HOW I could make cake pops without it. You can find it at Kitchen Kapers for $12.99.  This is perfect for scooping out uniform cake balls.  It takes all the guess work out of creating the perfect size cake ball.

7.  I tried making my own cake pops but the cake balls keep falling off the sticks. Why is that?

• You added too much frosting when crumbling the cake.  Remember, less is more.  When adding frosting and crumbing the cake, I typically add the frosting one tablespoon at a time.  This way, there is no danger of adding too much.  Too much frosting can lead the cake ball to be too moist, and fall right off the stick.
• You added too many ingredients into the crumbled cake.  I once tried making cake balls with Rice Krispies in the mix and it created some problems when adding the lollipop stick.  Remember, less is more :-)

8. Where does "doubletallsteve" come from?

I picked the name as my Internet handle. It has a dual meaning.  I used to work at Starbucks, and "Double Tall" is a coffee shop term for an extra shot of espresso added to a Tall Latte (which typically only comes with 1 shot).  Plus, I am very tall at 6'2".

9. Is there ettiquite to eating a cake pop?

In my personal opinion, a cake pop is good to eat for about 3 bites.  Is it considered rude to down the entire cake pop in one bite?  I don't think so, but others might.  Enjoy a cake pop anyway you want to!

10. Where is there a simple list of all the cake pop flavors you've done?

Vanilla (Birthday Cake)
Chocolate
Strawberry
Rocky Road
S'Mores
French Vanilla
Coffee
Red Velvet
Carrot Cake
Lemon
Lime
Margarita (Lemon-Lime mix)
Cherry
Cookies N Cream
Golden Oreo Crunch
Orange Cream
Chocolate Orange
Coconut Cream 

Chocolate Coconut

Chocolate Peanut Butter
Mint Chocolate Chip