Easy Cake Pop Recipe: Classic Vanilla, Endless Fun!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan. Whisk together dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (approximately 25-30 minutes).
2. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until combined. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the buttercream reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the buttercream and mix until a soft, dough-like consistency forms.
5. Roll the cake mixture into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
6. Melt the chocolate and vegetable shortening (if using) in a double boiler or microwave until smooth.
7. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and insert it halfway into a cake ball. Dip the entire cake pop into the melted chocolate, ensuring it's completely covered. Gently tap off any excess chocolate.
8. Immediately decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, edible glitter, or other decorations. Insert the stick into a cake pop stand or styrofoam block to dry completely.