How to Make Cake Pops Without Candy Melts
Moist cake on the inside, crunchy shell on the outside – who doesn’t love cake pops? But did you know that there’s a way to make cake pops without using candy melts? While most cake pop recipes feature candy melts for the outer layer, we’ll share with you how to make cake pops without candy melts so you can make them more often! Let’s start!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix (vanilla cake, chocolate cake, or red velvet cake)
- For a unique twist , consider using crushed Oreos instead of cake.
- Frosting (I recommend vanilla buttercream frosting, or cream cheese frosting for red velvet cakes)
- Your choice of candy melt substitutes (almond bark, compound chocolate, white chocolate, or chocolate chips)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil , to smoothen out (if needed)
- Lollipop sticks
- Sprinkles , edible glitter, or colorful frosting (to decorate)
Instructions
- Bake your Cake: Start by baking your cake according to the instructions on the box cake mix. You could also use a homemade cake batter if you prefer. Once done, let your cake cool to room temperature.
- Crumble the Cake: In a large bowl, crumble your cooled cake into fine cake crumbs. You can use a hand or standing mixer tohelp with the crumbling process. This is where you start making your cake into cake pops!
- Add Frosting: To your crumbled cake, add in your frosting. Start small and slowly add more until your cake mixture is moist enough to roll into balls. Remember, it’s always easier to add more frosting than to try and get rid of excess! I find that a 1:4 ratio works great (1 part frosting to 4 parts cake crumbs).
- Roll your Cake Balls: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll your cake mixture into small cake balls. I find that using a small ice cream scoop or spoon helps to measure out even portions.
- Chill the Cake Balls: Place them on a lined baking sheet and chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or into the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to help the cake balls firm up. For a litmus test on whether they’re ready for dipping, insert a toothpick. If it comes out clean, you’re good to go!
- Prepare your Coating: While your cake balls are chilling, melt your candy melt alternative in the microwave or double boiler.
- Dip your Cake Balls: Dip a lollipop stick into your melted chocolate and then into a cake ball, pushing about halfway in. This will act as a “glue” to help keep the cake on the stick. Then, fully dip the cake ball into the melted chocolate, making sure it’s completely covered.
- Decorate: After dipping, add your decorations like sprinkles. Be creative with your flavors and decorations, the sky is the limit!
- Let them Dry: Insert the lollipop sticks into a styrofoam block to hold them or place them on parchment paper to dry.
- Storage: Once dry, cake pops can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. They’re perfect to bring to a birthday party, baby shower, and more!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!