Red Velvet Cake Pops

Vibrant crimson spheres of moist cake enrobed in a smooth, sweet coating, Red Velvet Cake Pops are miniature delights that bring joy in every bite. These are not just cake; they are handheld portions of pure indulgence, combining the classic flavour of red velvet with the fun and portability of a lollipop. Imagine the subtle cocoa notes mingling with a hint of tanginess, all encased in a candy shell that cracks invitingly with each nibble. This recipe transforms a beloved cake into a whimsical treat, perfect for celebrations, gifts, or simply a delightful personal indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Portioned Indulgence: Red Velvet Cake Pops offer a delightful single-serving treat, ideal for satisfying sweet cravings without committing to a large slice of cake. Their petite size makes them perfect for parties, portion control, or a guilt-free indulgence.
• Fun and Festive Presentation: These cake pops are undeniably charming and visually appealing. Their vibrant red colour, spherical shape, and decorative coating make them a festive addition to any dessert table, instantly elevating any occasion with a touch of whimsy and elegance.
• Surprisingly Simple to Make: Despite their impressive appearance, Red Velvet Cake Pops are surprisingly easy to create at home. Using a simple cake mix shortcut and straightforward coating techniques, you can achieve professional-looking cake pops with minimal effort, making them a fun project for bakers of all skill levels.
• Versatile for Any Celebration: From birthday parties to holiday gatherings, Red Velvet Cake Pops are a versatile dessert that suits any celebration. Their customizable decorations allow you to tailor them to any theme or occasion, making them a universally appealing treat for guests of all ages.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: These cake pops are incredibly convenient for busy schedules. You can prepare them in advance and store them for several days, making them a stress-free dessert option for parties or when you need a sweet treat ready to go. Their make-ahead nature allows for relaxed party preparation.

Ingredients

For the Luscious Red Velvet Cake

• 1 box red velvet cake mix, 15.25 oz size. Cake mix simplifies the process, providing a consistent base flavour and texture for the cake pops. Red velvet cake mix offers the signature subtle cocoa flavour and vibrant red hue that are essential to this treat. Choose your preferred brand of red velvet cake mix.
• 1 ¼ cups water, provides moisture to the cake batter, ensuring a moist and tender cake crumb. Water is crucial for activating the cake mix and creating the desired batter consistency. Use room temperature water for best results.
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil, adds moisture and richness to the cake, contributing to a tender and moist crumb. Vegetable oil is a neutral oil that allows the red velvet flavour to shine through without adding its own distinct taste.
• 3 large fresh eggs, act as binders and emulsifiers, providing structure, richness, and moisture to the cake batter. Eggs are essential for creating a cohesive batter and contribute to the cake’s texture. Use large eggs for consistent results.

For the Smooth and Sweet Coating

• 1 package (12 oz) white candy melts or white chocolate chips. Candy melts are specifically designed for melting and coating, providing a smooth, glossy finish and setting firmly. White chocolate chips offer a richer flavour but may require a touch of shortening or coconut oil to achieve a smoother melting consistency. Choose based on preference and desired flavour.
• 2 tbsp vegetable shortening or coconut oil, optional, but recommended if using white chocolate chips. Shortening or coconut oil helps to thin the melted coating, making it smoother and easier to dip the cake pops. It also prevents the chocolate from seizing and ensures a glossy finish. Use refined coconut oil for a neutral flavour.
• Red food coloring gel, optional, if desired to enhance the red colour of the coating. Red velvet cake already has a reddish hue, but adding a touch of red food coloring gel to the white coating can intensify the overall red velvet theme and create a more vibrant visual appeal. Use gel food coloring as it is more concentrated and less likely to thin the coating.

For Decoration and Assembly

• Cake pop sticks, 4-inch or 6-inch lollipop sticks. Cake pop sticks provide the handle for the cake pops, making them easy to hold and eat. Choose sturdy sticks that can support the weight of the cake pops.
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, chopped nuts, or other decorations of your choice. Decorations add visual appeal and allow for customization to match any theme or occasion. Choose decorations that complement the red velvet flavour and colour scheme.

How to Make Red Velvet Cake Pops ?

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Step 1: Bake the Red Velvet Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

In a large bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs.

Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain a moist cake crumb.

Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling completely is essential before crumbling the cake for cake pops.

Step 2: Crumble the Cake and Make Cake Pop Dough

Once the cake is completely cooled, crumble it into a large bowl. Use your hands or a fork to break the cake into fine crumbs, removing any hard crusty edges.

Crumble the entire cake until you have fine, even crumbs.

Step 3: Prepare the Cake Pop Mixture

No frosting is needed for this recipe as the cake mix provides enough moisture and binding for cake pops.

Gently knead the crumbled cake with your hands until it comes together to form a dough-like consistency. The warmth of your hands will help to bind the crumbs together. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape when rolled into balls, but not sticky. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a tablespoon of cream cheese frosting or a touch of melted candy melts to help bind it.

Step 4: Shape the Cake Pops

Roll the cake pop mixture into 1 ½ inch balls. Place the cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Chill the cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or in the freezer for 15 minutes, to firm them up. Chilling makes the cake balls easier to dip and prevents them from falling off the sticks.

Step 5: Melt the Coating

While the cake balls are chilling, prepare the coating. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white candy melts or white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth and completely melted. Be careful not to overheat or burn the candy melts/chocolate. If using white chocolate chips, stir in vegetable shortening or coconut oil to thin the coating if needed.

If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring gel to the melted coating and stir until you achieve your desired shade of red velvet pink.

Step 6: Dip and Decorate Cake Pops

Remove the chilled cake balls from the refrigerator or freezer.

Dip the tip of a cake pop stick into the melted coating and insert it about halfway into a cake ball. This helps to secure the cake pop to the stick. Repeat with all cake balls.

Dip each cake pop into the melted coating, swirling to coat completely and evenly. Gently tap off any excess coating.

Immediately decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, edible glitter, chopped nuts, or other decorations before the coating sets.

Step 7: Set and Harden

Place the decorated Red Velvet Cake Pops upright in a cake pop stand, styrofoam block, or a glass filled with sugar or rice to allow the coating to harden completely.

Alternatively, you can place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to harden, but this may flatten one side of the cake pop.

Let the cake pops set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator for faster hardening.

Tips for Variations

Cream Cheese Swirl Coating

Enhance the red velvet flavour profile by incorporating cream cheese into the coating. Mix softened cream cheese into the melted white candy melts or white chocolate for a tangy and creamy coating. Start with a small amount of cream cheese and add more to taste, ensuring the coating remains dippable.

Chocolate Drizzle Detail

Add a contrasting chocolate drizzle for visual appeal and flavour complexity. Melt dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzle the melted chocolate over the hardened white coating using a piping bag or a spoon. The chocolate drizzle adds a sophisticated touch and complements the red velvet flavour.

Nut Coating Crunch

Create a textural contrast by coating the cake pops in chopped nuts. After dipping the cake pops in the melted coating, immediately roll them in finely chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios. The nuts add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour that complements the sweetness of the cake pops.

Candy Crunch Coating

Add a fun and colourful crunch by coating the cake pops in crushed candies. Roll the dipped cake pops in crushed candy canes, crushed cookies, or sprinkles for added texture, flavour, and visual interest. Choose candies that complement the red velvet flavour and colour scheme.

Extract Flavor Boost

Enhance the flavour of the cake pops by adding extracts to the cake batter or the coating. Add almond extract to the cake batter for a subtle nutty flavour, or peppermint extract to the coating for a festive holiday twist. Use extracts sparingly as they can be potent.

Serving Suggestions

Festive Party Display

Arrange Red Velvet Cake Pops on a tiered cake pop stand or platter for a visually stunning dessert display at parties and celebrations. The vibrant red colour and whimsical presentation make them a focal point of any dessert table.

Edible Party Favors

Wrap individual Red Velvet Cake Pops in cellophane bags and tie with ribbons to create charming and delicious party favors for guests to take home. Cake pops make delightful and personalized party favors that are always appreciated.

Dessert Table Centrepiece

Incorporate Red Velvet Cake Pops into a larger dessert table spread featuring other sweets like cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. Cake pops add variety and visual interest to a dessert buffet, offering a fun and handheld treat option.

Gift Giving Delight

Package Red Velvet Cake Pops in decorative boxes or gift bags to create thoughtful and homemade gifts for friends, family, or neighbours. Cake pops are a sweet and personal gift that shows you care.

Casual Sweet Treat

Enjoy Red Velvet Cake Pops as a simple and satisfying sweet treat any time of day. They are perfect for an afternoon snack, a dessert after dinner, or a fun treat to share with family and friends.

FAQ

Can I use homemade red velvet cake for this recipe?

Yes, you can absolutely use homemade red velvet cake. Ensure the cake is fully cooled before crumbling and making the cake pop dough. Homemade cake may be slightly more moist than cake mix cake, so you may need to adjust the amount of binding agent (frosting or melted candy melts) accordingly.

How do I prevent the cake pops from cracking?

To prevent cracking, avoid chilling the cake pops for too long in the freezer as extreme temperature changes can cause cracking. Also, ensure the coating is not too thick and tap off any excess coating after dipping. Working at a slightly cooler room temperature can also help prevent cracking.

What if my candy melts are too thick?

If your candy melts are too thick for dipping, you can thin them out by adding a small amount of vegetable shortening or coconut oil. Start with a teaspoon at a time and stir until smooth and thinned to your desired consistency. Be careful not to add too much liquid, as this can make the coating too thin and runny.

How long do Red Velvet Cake Pops last?

Red Velvet Cake Pops are best enjoyed within 2-3 days when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but the coating may become slightly harder. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.

Can I make these cake pops ahead of time?

Yes, Red Velvet Cake Pops are ideal for making ahead of time. You can bake and crumble the cake, make the cake pop dough, and even dip and decorate them a day or two in advance. Store finished cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

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