I make my cake pops using the Sweet Treats cake pop maker, which I bought from Lakeland for £19.99, I believe they are still selling at this price but I think it is a promotional price and the RRP is in fact higher.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will gladly help. They really are fun and easy I love making them with my friends and family too!
Also I will gladly give any advice on where to find ingredients and equipment etc. :)
I try to stay as Dairy Free as posible so I tend to use Goats Butter and Soya Milk as alternatives but I'm afraid I cant do anything about the Candy Melts which do contain some dairy. I haven't tried to make with dairy free chocolate as the covering but if anyone does let me know how it goes.
What you will need:
Makes Approx 27 cake pops :) (I know random number)
For the Mix:
125g Softened Butter
125g Caster Sugar
2 Medium Eggs
100g Self Raising Flour
3 (large) tbsp Cocoa Powder
2 tbsp Milk
For Decorating:
Approx. Half a bag / 170g Wiltons Dark Cocoa Mint Candy Melts, If you don't like mint use the light cocoa or dark cocoa instead
Approx 30 Cake Pop Sticks ( I use 7.6" Sticks, for personal preference)
Sprinkles, Decorations of your own choice etc.
Make the mixture as you would most cake mixes.
1. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
2. Add in one egg at a time, beating after each is added
3. Sift the cocoa powder and flour into the bowl and add the milk also, mix until smooth and well combined
That's your mixture made, I normally plug the cake pop maker in whilst I am making the mix so it is hot and ready to go.
Before you spoon in the mixture grease the holes lightly with some vegetable oil, you might need to do this again after a couple of batches. Once the green light shows on your cake pop maker it is ready to go.
Spoon in the mixture one large teaspoon with probably do it, I tend to fill mine a little bit more than the half level, this means that my cake balls need trimming after which I will explain how to do well later, but it ensures I get a nicely rounded ball as apposed to some of the more deflated ones I have seen.
Then, close the lid and time for 4 minutes before opening again. This should be enough time to cook them, but you can use a cocktail stick to check. If they aren't done just shut the lid and check again in about 20 seconds.
Once they are cooked take you cake balls out and leave them to cool on a cooling rack. Close the lid and wait for the green light to show and then start your next batch, it doesn't take long for the light to become green again.
When all of your cake balls are cool I use a vegetable peeler to just carefully go around the 'seam line' and smooth it round, trimming off any excess.
The next step is to get your balls of cake securely mounted onto your sticks. Melt some of your candy melts following the instructions on the back of the pack. I recommend a taller slimmer jug or similar to melt your candy melts in, I have been known to use a large mug. This means you don't waste candy melts, because when you dip them you want to be able to cover them ideally. Dip a stick into the candy melts about 1-2cm deep and then carefully insert into your cake ball. You can then either stand them or lie them down carefully.
Before starting to decorate it's advisable to leave them to set so they don't fall off whilst you are covering, so leave them for a little while. You can use this time to get all your sprinkles ready and melt the remainder of the candy melts.
When your pops are ready carefully dip them into the candy melts, make sure they are completely covered and give a gentle twist. You want a nice coat but not too much or it will all drip down and make a mess. Be gentle and don't rush and you will soon get the hang of it. Please if you can use a polystyrene block or similar to stand your pops in once you have dipped them rather than set them down they look so much nicer as perfectly round pops!
After you have dipped your pop whilst the candy melts are still wet is the best time to add your sprinkles and decorations so they stick.
If the candy melts start to set before you have finished you can just give them a little extra time in the microwave to melt them again or add some vegetable oil.
Mainly just remember to have fun, and you can be as simple or extravagant in your decorating and you like.
Hope you try them and please feel free to post any comments or even pictures of your own pops! :)
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