Spring Velvet Cake Pops

As soon as I saw Duncan Hines Spring Velvet Cake mix, I knew I wanted to do something different with it. Pretty pink and yellow colors, perfect for spring! I didn't want to do a cake or cupcakes, and cookies would have been a good idea, but no. With those 3 out of the way, that only left one thing. CAKE POPS! Another reason I had to make the cake pops? Wilton's Spring colored nonpareils. They were just so pastel and pretty!

I always use homemade frosting for my cakes and cupcakes, but decided I would go with Duncan Hines canned cream cheese frosting this time and I am so glad I did. They turned out delicious! My plan was to get this rolled out before Easter, but THAT didn't work out. Oh well! Who needs a holiday to eat cake pops?! I sure don't!

Ingredients:
Duncan Hines Spring Velvet Cake Mix
Ingredients needed to bake the cake (eggs, butter, water)
Non-Stick spray for pans
Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frosting
Wilton Sprinkles
1 package of White CandiQuik or store brand candy coating (I buy the Kroger Brand and it melts beautifully)
Sticks for your cake pops, or you are more than welcome to make cake balls
M&Ms are completely optional, I used them since it was Easter and they were pretty. ;) I also used a bright set of Cake Mate sprinkles I thought were pretty.

Method:
Bake your cake as directed on the box. I used two 8 inch cake pans to bake the cakes and baked them for 35 minutes. After your cakes have cooled, break off large pieces and pulse in batches in a food processor until the cake resembles coarse crumbs. If you do not have a food processor, you can use the tines of a fork to pull through the cake and crumble it up. Make sure to keep each color separate in two different bowls.

Next, mix your cream cheese frosting into your cake crumbs. I used approximately 1/2 cup of frosting per 8 inch layer. The mixture was not too dry and not too sticky. When everything appears to be well blended, start making 1 - 1 1/2 inch balls. I made my balls and then smoothed them out with the ball shaped My Little Cupcake Pop mold, wiping off the excess (and possibly sneaking in bites of the extra).

Pop the cake balls into the refrigerator for a little while. By a little while, I mean the time it takes to melt your candy coating and following the directions on the packaging as microwave times vary for everyone. What works for me may not work for you. I used a small Rival crock pot I got on sale after Christmas, but I had to be super careful and had to keep on stirring because this one tends to overheat and I have had the candy coating get scorched before. When the candy coating is melted, bring the cake balls back out, and dip the end of a stick about 1/2 to 3/4 inches into the coating, and insert into the cake ball, a little more than halfway. You don't want it to fall out easily when you are dipping. Do this until they are all done, unless you are making cake balls.

Pop the cake pops into the freezer for about 15 minutes to help the sticks get "anchored" into the cake balls, as this will make your dipping process MUCH easier.

In the meantime, occasionally stir the candy coating to avoid scorching if you are using a mini crock pot like mine, or wait until the end of the 15 minutes are up to reheat the candy coating if needed.

Pull the cake pops out of the freezer and begin your dipping process. Let the excess drip off the pop, slowly turning the stick over the melted coating. The frozen pop will help the coating harden a bit quicker, but add the sprinkles while the coating is melted enough to help it adhere. It's a very tricky process, but it can be done! It helped to have some paper plates to let the sprinkles fall on, creating less mess and helping with the collection of sprinkles in a baggie later. Don't dip your pop into the sprinkles, just turn the cake pop around while sprinkling over it. I have a rectangular artificial flower arrangement piece of foam that helps to stick the pop sticks in as they set. It would be a HUGE help, unless you have a cake pop holder, which in this case, makes you very lucky! Be creative, and enjoy these sweet treats! Don't get frustrated with the process if you have trouble. If your pop gets too soft, you can always put it back in the freezer for a little while and the start the dipping process again.

One of my favorite bloggers, Love from the Oven, has some AMAZING cake pop tricks if you want to check the link out HERE.

Thank you so much for looking! Now go dip up some YUM!

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and ideas!

XOXO,

Diana