Cake pops have been all the rage in the baking world for quite some time now. These little balls of cake on a stick are a fantastic way to serve cake as a finger food, and they’re as fun to make as they are to eat! Traditionally, cake pops are made by mixing crumbled cake with frosting, shaping them into balls, then dipping in a candy coating. But what if you’re looking for a less sweet option or simply want to experiment? The good news is, you can make cake pops without frosting! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process of making cake pops without frosting.
Understanding the Basics
Before we begin, let’s understand what role frosting plays in traditional cake pops. Frosting serves as a binder that holds the cake crumbs together, helping them maintain their round shape. When you choose to forgo frosting, you’ll need an alternative ingredient to serve this function. In this blog, we will explore two methods: one using a cream cheese and another using a condensed milk.
Gathering Your Tools and Ingredients
Making cake pops without frosting requires some special tools and a few basic ingredients.
Tools:
- Cake pop sticks
- Baking sheet
- Parchment or wax paper
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cake pop stand or Styrofoam block (for drying)
Ingredients:
- Your favorite cake recipe or cake mix
- Cream cheese or sweetened condensed milk
- Chocolate or candy melts (for coating)
- Sprinkles or other decorations (optional)
With these tools and ingredients at your disposal, you’re ready to craft some delicious cake pops.
Method 1: Cream Cheese Cake Pops
Step 1: Bake Your Cake
Begin by baking your favorite cake. It can be from scratch or from a box mix. Allow the cake to cool completely before you move on to the next step. This is crucial because a warm cake can cause the cream cheese to melt, making the mixture too soft to form into balls.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
After the cake has completely cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs. You can do this by hand or with the help of a food processor. The finer the crumbs, the smoother your cake pops will be.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese
To your cake crumbs, add cream cheese. Start with a small amount, mix it in, and see how well the mixture holds together. If the mixture is too dry and doesn’t hold its shape, add a bit more cream cheese. Keep in mind that the mixture should not be too wet or sticky.
Step 4: Shape the Cake Balls
Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to measure out even portions of the cake mixture. Roll the mixture between your hands to form round balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.
Step 5: Insert the Sticks
Before you dip the cake pops into the candy coating, you’ll need to insert the sticks. Dip the end of each stick into the melted candy coating, then insert it into the cake ball. The candy coating acts as a glue to hold the stick in place.
Step 6: Dip and Decorate
Dip each cake pop into the candy coating, ensuring it’s completely covered. Gently tap off any excess. If you wish, decorate with sprinkles or other decorations while the coating is still wet.
Step 7: Let Them Dry
Place the dipped cake pops into a cake pop stand or a block of Styrofoam to dry. Once the coating has set, the cake pops are ready to serve!
Method 2: Condensed Milk Cake Pops
The steps for this method are very similar to the first one. The only difference is that instead of cream cheese, you’ll use sweetened condensed milk as the binder.
Step 1: Bake Your Cake
Just like in the first method, start by baking your preferred cake. Once done, let it cool completely.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs using your hands or a food processor.
Step 3: Add Condensed Milk
Add sweetened condensed milk to your cake crumbs. Start with a small amount and add more as needed. The cake mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape but not too sticky.
Steps 4-7: Shape, Insert, Dip, Dry
These steps are the same as in Method 1. Shape the cake mixture into balls, insert the cake pop sticks, dip in candy coating, decorate, and let them dry.
Tips for Cake Pop Success:
- Don’t Rush the Cooling: Make sure your cake is completely cooled before you crumble it and add your binder. If the cake is warm, it can make the mixture too soft.
- Be Gentle: When dipping your cake pops in the candy coating, be gentle to avoid having the cake ball fall off the stick.
- Storage: Cake pops can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated or frozen.
Making cake pops without frosting might seem like a challenge, but with these steps, you can create these delightful treats with ease. Enjoy the process and have fun experimenting with flavors and decorations. Happy baking!