Halloween is my favorite time of year and what's more fun than making cake pops. These funny sweet treats will dress any spooky table up for fright night!
1 box cake mix of choice
Cake pan
1 can (16 ounces) white frosting mix
2 bags of orange candy melts (16 ounces each)
2 to 3 tablespoons shortening
Clear sanding sugar if desired
36 lollipop sticks (Wal Mart or any craft store will have these)
Green piping gel or frosting for the stem if desired
Piping bag or toothpicks to put on stems
Black gel food coloring or fruit roll ups
Small (tiny) paint brush or tooth pick to paint faces on
Sheet pan
Wax or parchment paper
Block of styrofoam to hold finished cake balls while they dry
Use any flavored cake mix you desire, vanilla, yellow or chocolate
Cook cake mix according to package directions. When done, cool the cake and cut the cake into squares. Crumble cake squares to a fine consistency. Discard any real brown or hard edges. Add the canned frosting about 2 tablespoons at a time and continue to add until the mixture resembles play dough. It will depend on how moist your cake is as to how much frosting is needed. You will usually need about 3/4 can of frosting. When mixture is right, roll into balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoon per ball) You can use a melon baller or small cookie scoop for measurement, if desired. Place balls onto cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper When you have all of the balls (makes about 36) on the cookie sheet, place in freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to hold the shape. Next, melt the candy until smooth. Beat in shortening a little at a time until the melts are smooth and can be easily dipped. Take your lollipop sticks and dip the tips into the candy melt mix and insert them 1/2 way into the balls. Again return them to the freezer to set sticks about another 15 to 20 minutes. When sticks are set, dip cake balls in the candy melt mix and twist around until coated. VERY gently tap off any dripping candy. At this point you will need the styrofoam block to place the cake balls in as they are finished. Let the candy coating set up on the counter or in refrigerator. If you are going to sugar the balls, do so before the coating is completely hardened, When the coating has set up you are ready to paint the faces and stems or cut fruit roll ups into eyes and mouths. Have fun!
