Valentines Cake Pops

You didn't think I was going to let Valentines Day pass without some over-the-top bright red treat did you? Last year it was Valentines Cupcakes and Cookies so this year it had to be my 'thing/obsession of the moment' which is of course, Cake Pops! Realistically I should be calling them Cake Bites as once again these are round mouthfuls of pure cake and not 'true' cake pops but nevertheless they are delicious and disappeared in a hurry!

I had originally intended on making these chocolate cake pops since you can't have Valentines day without chocolate, however when I went to make them I realised I didn't have the ingredients needed for my chocolate cakes bites (I know – completely disorganised but it had been a crazy week!). So the chocolate ones will have to wait for another day, (I will post the recipe soon!) but when all is said and done, who doesn't like good old vanilla?!

Happy Valentines Day!

For the Cake Pops: (makes enough for roughly 48 cake pops)

215g/ 1 ½ cups plain or all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

100g/ ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

185g/ 1 cup caster/ superfine sugar

2 large eggs

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

125ml milk

To decorate:

Red and/or Pink Candy Melts

Canola oil (or other mild tasting oil)

Edible sprinkles, decorations and glitter (optional)

You will also need:

Cake Pop sticks

Styrofoam blocks covered in foil (or something else to hold them)

To make the cake pops put the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and mix.

In the bowl of a KitchenAid (or similar) free-standing mixer add the butter and sugar and beat until light and creamy. Add the eggs and the vanilla. Once everything is well mixed add 1/3 of the flour mixture then ½ of the milk. Mix together then add another 1/3 of flour followed by the remaining milk. Finish with the last of the flour then mix until everything is properly combined – do not over mix though.

Spray or wipe a little oil on the cake pop maker then heat it up (according to manufacturers instructions) until it is ready. Spoon tablespoons of the mixture into the holes then allow to cook for 4-6 minutes (5 seems to work for me). Carefully remove the cake pops from the machine (the whole thing gets very hot so be extra careful) and allow to cool on a wire rack. Repeat the process until all of the cake batter is used up.

Once the cake pops have all cooled melt the candy melts according to the instructions on the packet. Once completely melted and smooth add enough oil to make the coating thin enough to evenly coat the cake pops (I find the best consistency is when it drizzles evenly and easily from a spoon).

Dip the end of a cake pop stick into the melted candy coating then carefully put into the cake pop – just about ½ way through. Repeat this then pop the cake pops in the freezer for 10 minutes. This allows the sticks to properly harden and makes it easier to dip the cake pops.

One at a time dip the cake pops into the icing until evenly coated. Tap them on the side of the bowl to shake off any excess icing then carefully stick them in a block of styrofoam covered with tin foil. While still wet decorate the cake pops with glitter or edible decorations if using then leave to dry completely.

Some other Valentines Ideas:

• Valentines Cookies
• Valentines Cupcakes
• Pink Champagne Truffles

And don't forget to check out my Menu's page for 2 different menu ideas, perfect for Valentines Day!