Cake pops are a delightful treat that combines cake and frosting into a bite-sized ball, dipped in candy or chocolate, and placed on a stick. They’ve become a popular choice for parties, special events, and celebrations. However, for those new to making cake pops, getting them to stick together without falling apart can be quite a challenge. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know to ensure your cake pops stay together perfectly — from choosing the right ingredients to avoiding common mistakes.
What Are Cake Pops?
Cake pops are essentially crumbled cake mixed with frosting to form small, moist cake balls. These balls are placed on a stick, dipped in candy melts or chocolate, and then decorated. Their small size and ability to be customized make them perfect for parties, but their fragile nature can be tricky to manage. The key to getting cake pops to stick together lies in mastering the balance between ingredients and using the right techniques.
The biggest challenge when making cake pops is ensuring that they hold their shape, stay intact on the stick, and don’t fall apart during the dipping and decorating process. By following the steps and methods outlined here, you can create cake pops that are not only delicious but also sturdy and beautiful.
Key Ingredients for Cake Pops
When making cake pops, it’s important to start with the right ingredients. Each component plays a critical role in ensuring that the cake pops stick together and hold their shape.
Cake
The base of any cake pop is the cake itself. You can use any type of cake, whether it’s homemade, store-bought, or made from a boxed cake mix. However, the texture and density of the cake will affect how well the cake pops stick together. A dense cake, such as a pound cake or a moist sponge cake, works best because it provides more structure. If your cake is too crumbly or dry, the cake balls may fall apart during the process.
Frosting
Frosting is what binds the cake crumbs together to form a sticky dough that can be shaped into balls. You can use any kind of frosting, but it’s important to use the right amount. Adding too much frosting will make the cake balls too soft, causing them to fall apart. On the other hand, if you use too little frosting, the mixture will be too dry and won’t hold together. A good rule of thumb is to start with about 3 tablespoons of frosting for every 2 cups of crumbled cake, and then adjust as needed.
You can use buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or even store-bought frosting, but make sure the consistency is creamy and smooth. A thick frosting will be harder to mix and may cause the cake to crumble rather than bind together.
Candy Melts or Chocolate
The final essential ingredient is candy melts or chocolate, which are used to coat the cake pops after they’ve been formed and placed on sticks. Candy melts are specifically designed for coating cake pops because they melt smoothly, come in a variety of colors, and harden quickly. However, you can also use melted chocolate if you prefer a richer coating.
Make sure your candy melts or chocolate are the right consistency for dipping. If they’re too thick, they’ll be difficult to work with and may cause the cake pops to fall apart when dipped. You can thin out candy melts with a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to achieve the right texture.
For a more detailed guide on coating techniques, check out this article on the best way to coat cake pops.
Tools You’ll Need
In addition to the right ingredients, you’ll also need a few essential tools to make your cake pops:
- Lollipop Sticks: These are the backbone of your cake pops, literally. Make sure to use sturdy sticks to hold the cake pops in place while dipping and decorating.
- Styrofoam Block or Cake Pop Stand: After dipping the cake pops, you’ll need a place for them to dry upright. A Styrofoam block or a specialized cake pop stand works well for this purpose. The cake pops will dry evenly and won’t develop flat sides.
- Spoon or Scoop: A small ice cream scoop or spoon can help you create evenly sized cake balls. Uniform size is important for consistency when dipping and decorating.
- Microwave-safe Bowl: Use this for melting your candy melts or chocolate. A deep bowl is best for dipping the cake pops in one smooth motion.
By using the right tools, you can ensure a smoother process and minimize the risk of your cake pops falling apart.
For more tips on storing and presenting your cake pops, check out this guide on what do you wrap cake pops in.
Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Cake Pops
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients and tools, let’s walk through the steps to ensure your cake pops stay together.
Step 1: Crumble the Cake
After baking your cake, let it cool completely before crumbling it. Use your hands or a fork to crumble the cake into fine crumbs. The finer the crumbs, the easier it will be to mix them with the frosting and form smooth, even cake balls. Avoid leaving any large chunks of cake, as these can cause the balls to fall apart later on.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Crumbs and Frosting
Once your cake is crumbled, gradually add frosting to the cake crumbs. Start with a small amount and mix it in by hand until the mixture reaches a dough-like consistency. You want the mixture to be sticky enough to hold together but not so wet that it becomes mushy. If the mixture feels too dry and crumbly, add more frosting in small increments until you achieve the right texture.
Step 3: Form the Cake Balls
Using your hands or a scoop, portion out equal amounts of the cake mixture and roll them into balls. The size of each ball should be about 1 inch in diameter. If the balls are too large, they may become too heavy for the sticks and fall off. Be sure to roll the balls gently to avoid overhandling the dough, which can cause them to lose their shape.
Place the formed cake balls on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the cake balls will firm them up and make them easier to handle during the dipping process.
Step 4: Insert the Sticks
Before inserting the lollipop sticks into the cake balls, dip the tip of each stick into melted candy melts or chocolate. This small amount of melted candy acts like glue, helping the cake balls adhere to the sticks. Insert the stick about halfway into each cake ball, being careful not to push it all the way through.
Let the cake balls rest for a few minutes to allow the candy on the sticks to set before moving on to the next step.
For additional guidance on securing the sticks, you can also refer to this article on what is a good binder for cake pops.
Step 5: Dip the Cake Pops
Now it’s time to dip the cake pops. Melt your candy melts or chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. If the candy melts are too thick, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to thin them out. Make sure the candy coating is deep enough to fully submerge the cake pops.
Hold each cake pop by the stick and dip it into the melted candy or chocolate, ensuring the entire ball is coated. Gently tap the stick against the side of the bowl to remove any excess coating. Be careful not to tap too hard, as this can cause the cake ball to loosen from the stick.
Step 6: Let the Cake Pops Dry
Once the cake pops are dipped and coated, place them in a Styrofoam block or cake pop stand to dry. The candy coating should harden within a few minutes. If you plan to decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, nuts, or other toppings, be sure to add them before the coating fully sets.
Allow the cake pops to dry completely before serving or storing them.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Making cake pops can be tricky, especially for beginners. Here are some common mistakes that cause cake pops to fall apart and how to avoid them:
- Too Much Frosting: Adding too much frosting will make the cake mixture too wet and soft, causing the cake balls to slide off the sticks. Always add frosting gradually and mix until the dough is just sticky enough to hold together.
- Not Chilling the Cake Balls: If the cake balls are not chilled long enough, they will be too soft and fragile to dip. Chilling for at least 30 minutes is essential for ensuring they stay intact during the dipping process.
- Overhandling the Cake Balls: Rolling and handling the cake balls too much can cause them to lose their shape and become crumbly. Be gentle when forming and rolling the cake balls.
- Too Thick Candy Melts: If your candy melts or chocolate are too thick, the heavy coating can pull the cake ball off the stick. Thin the coating with a bit of vegetable oil or shortening to achieve the right consistency for dipping.
Storing and Serving Cake Pops
Once your cake pops are fully decorated and dry, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store them for longer, place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Cake pops can also be frozen for up to 1 month. To freeze, wrap each cake pop individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag.
For more storage tips, check out this guide on what do you wrap cake pops in.
FAQs
Why Won’t My Cake Pops Stick to the Stick?
If your cake pops aren’t sticking to the stick, the problem is likely the consistency of the cake mixture or the way the stick was inserted. Ensure that the cake mixture is sticky enough to hold together and that you’ve dipped the tip of the stick in melted candy before inserting it into the cake ball.
How Do You Keep Cake Pops from Falling Apart?
The key to keeping cake pops from falling apart is achieving the right cake-to-frosting ratio and properly chilling the cake balls before dipping. Handle the cake balls gently when rolling and dipping to avoid cracks or breaks in the coating.
Can You Make Cake Pops Without Sticks?
Yes! You can make cake pops without sticks by turning them into cake balls. Simply roll the cake mixture into balls, dip them in the coating, and place them in mini cupcake liners. Cake balls are a great alternative if you prefer a stick-free option.
Conclusion
Getting cake pops to stick together can be a challenge, but with the right ingredients, tools, and techniques, you can create beautifully decorated cake pops that hold their shape and taste delicious. By carefully balancing the cake-to-frosting ratio, chilling the cake balls, and dipping the sticks in melted candy before insertion, you’ll be able to make perfect cake pops every time.
For more tips and tricks on making cake pops, check out this guide on coating cake pops perfectly.
Happy baking!