Rudolph and Christmas Tree cake pops.
Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:17AM I made these for the kidlets "Gingerbread" House decorating party. The kids loved them. Most of the grown ups did too. In fact, I'm pretty sure I remember one mom refusing to share her tree pop with her adorable children because they already had theirs. I won't name names but you know who you are.
If you've never made cake pops before, be forewarned that once you do, you'll be hooked. You'll start looking for all sorts of reasons to make them. Flag day? Cake pop. Kid stubbed a toe? Cake pop. They're a bit of work, but worth it. When I make a batch, I usually also make an extra batch and freeze them undipped (yes, I freeze everything). So right now I have two dozen naked cake balls waiting to be dressed for Christmas. We'll do more Rudolphs and trees, and I'm also thinking of doing a Santa and some angels. I also might make them for our neighborhood New Year's Eve progressive dinner party...but I need some ideas.
Check out the how-tos over at Bakerella, who started the phenomenon. She gives you directions on how to use a box mix and store bought frosting. I personally think they taste better with homemade cake and frosting but will admit, the cuteness factor is what makes them special. One thing to note, however--if you do go homemade, make sure you use a frosting that can be left out at room temperature, i.e. doesn't require refrigeration. Some brands of dipping chocolate recommend you don't refrigerate and since these hold fine for a few days (I've gone up to 5) at room temperature, that's what I do.
ETA: I wrote some details as a response in the comments section, so be sure to check there for more tips...
Christmas, chocolate | in crafts, in the kitchen 
Reader Comments (9)
These are so adorable! Following from MBC!:)
Very cute! I don't bake as a rule but I may actually try these. Thanks for sharing!
Adorable! How did you make the little antlers and stars? I think I will try these when I see my 4 and 5 year old nephews over Christmas....
Thanks for the comments everyone. I do hope you'll try them & post back with results :).
Alison: For the stars & antlers, doodle whatever you want using chocolate or candy wafers (melted in a ziploc, then snip the corner) onto parchment or wax paper. Go pretty thick so they'll hold up. Let them set up (stick them in the freezer for several minutes) then they should pop right off the paper & be ready. Be quick when handling them as heat from your fingers will make them go soft in no time! For the antlers, you'll want to have them ready to put on right after you dip the Rudolphs so you can stick them into the cake a bit (if you wait until after the dipping sets up, I found that trying to add them with a dot of melted chocolate made them too fragile for much handling--and there was MUCH handling!)
Other tips I've learned: For dipping, if buying from a big box store, I prefer Wilton candy wafers (found at Michaels) over whatever brand they sell at AC Moore. I think it melts & thins better--the other stuff stays too thick for my liking. If mail ordering, Merckens or Clasen brands are my absolute faves to work with. I melt small quantities (working with only one color at a time) in a microwave safe ceramic bowl as ceramic will retain the heat for a bit. I also nestle the bowl in a little "bed" I make of crumpled foil wrapped in a kitchen towel, again to retain heat. If you happen to have a little dipper fondue thingy, which I covet for these food crafts, you could use that.
For brown, like Rudolph, I use baking chocolate rather than the candy wafers. You can use chocolate chips but there are some brands that are coated with something to prevent them from melting into the baked good so I find they don't melt as well. I of course can never remember which brands they are so I just tend to avoid them for this application . Instead, I rough chop baking squares of chocolate and melt per the directions on the packaging.
Other supplies:
For Rudolph: mini chocolate chips set into a dot of white chocolate for the eyes. To make them sit better, I nip off the point of the chip. Red M&M for his nose that all the other reindeers used to laugh and call him names...
For Trees: the garland is white chocolate (I actually did use chips for this and it was fine in such a small quantity) melted in a ziploc, corner snipped. I used red balls I had on hand for the ornaments but I also think different colored large sprinkles or mini M&Ms would look great.
Oh, and when I do it next time, I think I'm going with red velvet for the interior cake...of the tree...not Rudolph--that would be creepy (anyone remember the movie Steel Magnolia's armadillo groom's cake?)
I hope you try them!
These are so cute!
Visiting from FFF @ MBC! I'm a new follower.. I'd love for you to come visit me!
Shelley @ www.shelleysswag.blogspot.com
OK so I tried them and after two days of hard work I now have about 150 adorable, yummy cakepops to give away! I opted for box mixes and can icing so I could focus on the decorations. I made snowmen heads out of funfetti cake with vanilla icing, and used white homemade frosting on the outside (plus sugar crystals, mini choc chips, and a few Hershey kiss and mini reeses cup hats). Then I made Santa heads with spice cake and cream cheese icing, using red and white candy melts for hat and beard, and mini choc chia for eyes. Then made Christmas trees with choc cake and choc icing, covered in green candy melts, sprinkled with rainbow chips for ornaments and candy cane trunk. Phew! They are a big hit with the hubby and we are on the way to see family to share with them. Gave some to the neighbors, too. I'll email you pics! Happy holidays!!
these are so cute... (boy sometimes I really do wish I was creative )
Have a wonderful holiday!
They taste as good as they look!!!
Following you from MBC!
http://www.stockpilingmom.com
Stop by when you get a chance!
Melissa