Description
Delightful homemade cake pops featuring a moist vanilla cake coated in a smooth buttercream frosting, dipped in rich melted chocolate, and decorated with optional sprinkles. Perfect for parties or sweet treats, these cake pops combine classic flavors with a fun, bite-sized presentation.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ heaping teaspoon salt
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup vegetable, canola, or olive oil
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk (room temperature preferred)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1-2 Tablespoons heavy cream
Dipping & Decoration
- 15 oz chocolate or white chocolate melting wafers or almond bark (or tempered chocolate)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch round cake pan. In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Add melted butter and vegetable oil, mixing thoroughly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in sour cream, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, followed by the milk, mixing until the batter is smooth and uniform in consistency.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 32-35 minutes. Begin checking at 28 minutes if using a 9-inch pan. The cake is done when the top springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. While cooling, prepare the frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat softened butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed until combined. Stir in vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream, mixing until smooth. If the frosting is too stiff, add the remaining tablespoon of cream to reach the desired consistency.
- Combine Cake and Frosting: Using your hands, crumble the cooled cake into small pieces in a large bowl, avoiding mashing. Add frosting and mix with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is coarse but holds together when pinched. Be careful not to overmix.
- Form Cake Balls: Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into smooth balls with your palms. Place the cake balls on a wax paper-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch. Freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare Chocolate Melting Station: Melt chocolate or melting wafers according to package instructions while the cake balls chill. Prepare two upside-down cardboard egg cartons, piercing a hole in the center of each cup using a skewer to hold the cake pops upright.
- Insert Sticks and Dip: Remove cake balls from freezer. Dip the end of each cake pop stick into melted chocolate, then insert halfway into a cake ball. Flip the cake pop upside down and dip in melted chocolate until fully coated. Let excess chocolate drip off, then place the stick in the hole of the egg carton to set.
- Decorate and Set: Immediately decorate the wet chocolate with sprinkles before it hardens. Repeat the dipping and decorating process with all cake pops. Allow the chocolate coating to harden completely before removing and serving or storing.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs ensure better cake texture and easier mixing.
- Don’t overmix the cake and frosting mixture to maintain ideal cake pop texture.
- Freeze cake balls before dipping to help them hold their shape.
- Use a skewer to create holes in cardboard egg cartons for an easy drying stand.
- To prevent melting, store finished cake pops in a cool place or refrigerate.
- Variations: Use different chocolate flavors or add food coloring to frostings for customization.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
