Ingredients:

  • 1 box (15.25 ounces/432g) vanilla cake mix plus ingredients called for on the box (typically oil, eggs, and water)
  • 1/2 cup (113g/4 ounces) cream cheese frosting, store-bought or homemade
  • 12 ounces (340g) melting chocolate (semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate), or candy melts
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening, optional
  • Sprinkles, chopped nuts, crushed cookies, edible glitter

Instructions:

  1. Bake the cake according to the box instructions or your favourite recipe. Let cool completely.
  2. Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Make sure there are no large chunks.
  3. Add the frosting to the crumbled cake and mix until well combined. The mixture should be moist and hold together when pressed.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) to firm up the mixture.
  5. Roll the cake mixture into small, even balls (about 1-inch in diameter). Place the shaped cake pops on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Return the cake pops to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to firm up further.
  7. Melt the chocolate (or candy melts) in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, stirring frequently until smooth. Add shortening for easier melting.
  8. Dip the tip of a cake pop stick into the melted chocolate and insert it halfway into a cake pop. Repeat with all the cake pops. Chill for 10 minutes to allow chocolate to harden.
  9. Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, twirling to coat evenly. Gently tap off any excess chocolate.
  10. Immediately decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, nuts, or other toppings before the chocolate sets.
  11. Place the decorated cake pops in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand to set completely.