Bows on top of pretty present cake pops for instance.
When I posted those candy hearts last week, it made me think of these sweet little presents.
They are actually a project in my Cake Pops Holidays book. I thought I’d share the how to with you for those that don’t have the book … yet. ; )
The white candy coating and especially the red candy hearts make them totally work for Valentine’s Day. If I had used red and green for the boxes in the book, not so much.
But these can work … especially if you add some cute little tags to the lollipop sticks.
In the book I used tags that look like gift tags for presents. So, I thought I’d give you some tags to coordinate if you wanted to give some sweet love for the fourteenth, too.
Download the tags and use them with a 1 7/8 inch paper punch for cake pops or make cupcake toppers with them, too.
And below is the in depth how-to for these. Have fun!
Yield: 48 cake pops
Give Love Cake Pops
Ingredients
9 X 13 cake, cooled (makes 48 cake pops)
Frosting
Wax paper
Baking sheet
Cookie cutter with a straight edge
48 oz (1.4 kg) white candy coating
Deep, microwave-safe plastic bowl
48 lollipop sticks
96 red candy hearts
48 red mini M&M’s
Styrofoam block
Red colored cocoa butter (you can also pipe on red candy coating)
Small dish
Small paintbrush
Instructions
Crumble cake and mix with 2/3 - 3/4 container of ready made frosting or about 1 cup equivalent homemade until completely combined. Roll into 48 balls and place on a wax paper covered baking sheet. Place in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up and then transfer to the refrigerator to remain chilled (not frozen).
Remove the cake balls from the refrigerator and shape them, one at a time, into small squares to form the shape of a box. You can use wax paper to aid in shaping the sides. Take each side of your cake ball and slide it on a wax paper covered baking sheet. Rotate and repeat for each side to help create a flat surface. In addition, you can use the flat side of a metal cutter to cut off any rounded excess and to help form straight edges.
After shaping, put the shaped cakes in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up again for dipping. Once they are firm, transfer them to the refrigerator. Remove a few at a time for dipping, keeping the rest chilled.
Melt the candy coating in a microwave-safe plastic bowl, following the instructions on the package. The coating should be about 3 in (7.5 cm) deep for easier dipping.
One at a time, dip about 1/2 in (12 mm) of the lollipop stick into the melted candy coating and insert the stick straight into the bottom of the box shape, pushing it no more than halfway through. Dip the cake pop into the melted coating, and tap off any excess: Hold it over the bowl in your left hand, and tap your left wrist gently with your right hand. If you use the hand holding the cake pop to shake off excess coating, the force of the movement will be too strong and could cause the cake ball to loosen or fly off the lollipop stick. Tapping the wrist holding the cake pop absorbs some of the impact. The excess coating will fall off, but you will need to rotate the lollipop stick so the coating doesn’t build up on one side, making it too heavy on that side. If too much coating starts to build up at the base of the stick, simply use your finger to wipe it off, spinning the lollipop stick at the same time. This can happen if the coating is too thin or too hot. It’s not as hard as it sounds; it just takes a little practice.
While the coating is wet, place two candy hearts on their sides, with pointed ends facing each other on top of the pop. Leave room to place a mini M&M’s candy in between. Tilt the hearts up to form the shape of a bow before the coating sets. Let dry completely in a Styrofoam block.
Heat the red cocoa butter in the microwave following the directions on the bottle. Pour a little into a small dish. Paint ribbons on sides and tops of the cake pop with a brush for a flat appearance. Or you can also use red candy coating instead of colored cocoa butter for ribbons. Pipe coating with a squeeze bottle or apply with a toothpick to draw the ribbons on for a more three dimensional effect.
Bakerella – I just tried making football cake pops for superbowl sunday and they were a major fail. LOL. The balls totally fell off my lolipop stick into the candy coating. I don’t know if I didn’t let them set long enough in the fridge or if the cake consistency was too soft…and the candy coating seemed very thick. I used Wilton’s. Do you have any suggestions for what cake NOT to use? I used a devil’s food cake mix. Thanks!
Hi bakerella- I am late to the cake pop makers game, but I am slowly building a business, using some of your designs for inspiration. I am having trouble finding 1 ingredient: those red candy hearts (on the wreaths and on the white gift boxes). I have searched all over the internet, and at every store/ specialty shop in my state! Are they CK products? It looks like they are (based on the comparison to the website). I noticed other people were also having trouble finding them. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I bought this book the other day and have fallen in love with the little presents and really would like to make them but I can’t find candy hearts ANYWHERE. I am from the UK but even on the resources quoted in the back of your book I can’t find them, please could you help me? Thank you!
I am in Southern Ca. I found a lot of cake or party supply stores that carry Merckens. Bakerella I am curious about red cocoa butter. Where do you get that? Does it come in other colors or did you color it red? I love your lines. I tried painting with chocolate and it didn’t turn out well. The pens don’t work for me. It looks like the cocoa butter gives great results.
There are so interesting! Always nice when a certain ingredient can be used for a variety of things. Helps finish up big packs as well as give so much satisfaction!
so cute, and i had to tell you my son’s elementary school had their annual book fair, and they were selling your holiday book, it was so cute, all the teachers were telling me to get it, since I send in cake pops a lot;p
Thank Bakerella for the sweet Valentine download tags, this is perfect for the cupcakes and cake pops for my valentine event this thurs. Thank you again for the inspiration!! <3
So cute andlove your page. I read and read your blog and finally decided to give cake pops a try…oh man lol it didn’t turn out quite as I thought. Had the same problem as Lantana…kind of…the wilton coating wasn’t smooth enough, too thick. I did add a little shortening and made it a bit better but still not as runny as needed for easy smooth coating. I will keep on trying though till I get it just right. Will definitely give Mercken a try.
Lantana – you can order merckens from amazon. I used super white for these. It’s nice and fluid. See if there are any cake supply stores around you. They’ll probably carry it too.
Krystel – oh my … Have fun. That sounds like it will be a busy day.
Wow…I AM THE FIRST COMMENT!!!!!!!! I love these little pops but unfortunately I have a problem. When I try to dip my cake pops, the coating never goes on smooth. Maybe it’s the kind of candy coating I use. I use Wilton’s which is very thick The Mercken’s kind is not available here in Southern California so could you give me some tips? Thank you and God bless, I love your site:-)
This site focuses on fun and easy baking. You’ll find ideas for cake pops (a Bakerella creation), cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more. You may even find yourself smiling from all the sweetness.
Bakerella – I just tried making football cake pops for superbowl sunday and they were a major fail. LOL. The balls totally fell off my lolipop stick into the candy coating. I don’t know if I didn’t let them set long enough in the fridge or if the cake consistency was too soft…and the candy coating seemed very thick. I used Wilton’s. Do you have any suggestions for what cake NOT to use? I used a devil’s food cake mix. Thanks!
Hi bakerella- I am late to the cake pop makers game, but I am slowly building a business, using some of your designs for inspiration. I am having trouble finding 1 ingredient: those red candy hearts (on the wreaths and on the white gift boxes). I have searched all over the internet, and at every store/ specialty shop in my state! Are they CK products? It looks like they are (based on the comparison to the website). I noticed other people were also having trouble finding them. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I bought this book the other day and have fallen in love with the little presents and really would like to make them but I can’t find candy hearts ANYWHERE. I am from the UK but even on the resources quoted in the back of your book I can’t find them, please could you help me? Thank you!
Love the idea of the cake pops and sure these will be a huge hit with the kids and adults alike, great party idea thanks for the recipe
I love those presents
Your cake pops are the best.
Cakeconnection.com also has a lot of cakepop supplies and They ship anywhere..
I love the present cake pops! What a clever way to make a bow! :)
So lovely
So cute!!
I liked the lollipops are gorgeous and cute!
Congratulations on your creativity.
Couldn’t get any cuter! You are soooo creative!
Good shape and design
Suits for valentine
Thanks guys!
Hey Mike – here’s a link to a set of colors.
http://cakeart.com/Colored-Cocoa-Butter-6-CT-21506/
You may be able to find them sold separately on some sites. You could also tint your own cocoa butter if you didn’t want that much of any one color.
I am in Southern Ca. I found a lot of cake or party supply stores that carry Merckens. Bakerella I am curious about red cocoa butter. Where do you get that? Does it come in other colors or did you color it red? I love your lines. I tried painting with chocolate and it didn’t turn out well. The pens don’t work for me. It looks like the cocoa butter gives great results.
Oooh just love these! Could do for a birthday too or Christmas! :D
OMG too cute :D
Love the tiny packages! I need a little bit of your patience to make these happen!
These are so cute. Simply adorable. Love the hearts on the bow.
another super cute and festive cake pop recipe :) love it!
These are super cute. My piping is pretty mediocre. I wonder if it would work to use a candy for the ribbon.
SOOO CUTE! Want to make but I’m so bad at making cake pops!!!!!
Typical gorgeousness-on-a-stick! :)
These are so so cute.
adorable…as usual!
There are so interesting! Always nice when a certain ingredient can be used for a variety of things. Helps finish up big packs as well as give so much satisfaction!
These are so cute! Your cake pops are always amazing!
so cute, and i had to tell you my son’s elementary school had their annual book fair, and they were selling your holiday book, it was so cute, all the teachers were telling me to get it, since I send in cake pops a lot;p
You and your adorable cake pops never cease to amaze me!
Beautiful as always bakerella. Mine never look so pretty. I wish someone would send me this as a valentine :) x
Those cake pops look amazing!!! Definitely want to try those out!
Thank Bakerella for the sweet Valentine download tags, this is perfect for the cupcakes and cake pops for my valentine event this thurs. Thank you again for the inspiration!! <3
How do you come up with these great ideas each time. hats off to you! So adorable they look, i wouldn’t want to eat them :)
These are too cute! Your holidays book is amazing! I really loved it!
You never seize to amaze me…these are adorable!!!!
So cute andlove your page. I read and read your blog and finally decided to give cake pops a try…oh man lol it didn’t turn out quite as I thought. Had the same problem as Lantana…kind of…the wilton coating wasn’t smooth enough, too thick. I did add a little shortening and made it a bit better but still not as runny as needed for easy smooth coating. I will keep on trying though till I get it just right. Will definitely give Mercken a try.
Lantana – you can order merckens from amazon. I used super white for these. It’s nice and fluid. See if there are any cake supply stores around you. They’ll probably carry it too.
Krystel – oh my … Have fun. That sounds like it will be a busy day.
Erika – you’re welcome
Thank you for the downloadable tags
Wow…I AM THE FIRST COMMENT!!!!!!!! I love these little pops but unfortunately I have a problem. When I try to dip my cake pops, the coating never goes on smooth. Maybe it’s the kind of candy coating I use. I use Wilton’s which is very thick The Mercken’s kind is not available here in Southern California so could you give me some tips? Thank you and God bless, I love your site:-)
This is what im somewhat doing for Valentines Day. For my 4 youngests classes..