Valentine’s Day Cake Pops
These Valentine’s day cake pops are surprisingly easy to make, even if you’re not an experienced baker. With just a few ingredients, you can transform a simple cake into something festive and sweet.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (2–3)
- Electric mixer
- Baking pan (9x13 inch)
- Cooling Rack
- Large spoon or cookie scoop
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Styrofoam block or cake pop stand
- Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix or your favorite chocolate/vanilla cake
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cake Pops & Decoration:
- 2 cups candy melts red, pink, or white
- 20 –25 lollipop sticks
- Sprinkles edible glitter, or small heart candies
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9x13-inch pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and no lumps remain. Pro Tip: Use an electric mixer on medium speed and scrape the sides of the bowl for an even batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely on a cooling rack before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Prepare the Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing slowly at first to avoid a sugar cloud!
- Add milk and vanilla extract, then beat until smooth and fluffy. Pro Tip: If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until it’s easy to mix into the cake.
Step 3: Make the Cake Balls
- Crumble the cooled cake into fine pieces in a large mixing bowl.
- Add 1/2 of the prepared frosting and gently mix until the cake holds together when pressed.
- Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1.5 inches each, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes so they’re firm and easier to dip.
Step 4: Insert the Sticks
- Melt a few tablespoons of candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert it halfway into each cake ball. Pro Tip: This helps the stick stay securely in place when dipping.
- Return the cake balls to the fridge for a few minutes to set the stick.
Step 5: Dip and Decorate
- Melt the remaining candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Hold a cake pop by the stick and dip it into the melted candy, letting the excess drip off.
- While the coating is still wet, decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or small heart candies.
- Insert the cake pops upright into a Styrofoam block or cake pop stand to let the coating set completely.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
- Once the coating is fully hardened, your Valentine’s day cake pops are ready to enjoy.
- Arrange them on a plate or wrap individually in clear bags tied with ribbon for gifting.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Cake Pop – Approximate)
- Calories: 160–180 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 16g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 95mg