This past Friday I was invited to a Foodbuzz sponsored cake pop “contest” judged by none other than the cake pop queen, Miss Bakerella herself!
Let me say upfront that I definitely didn’t win! I totally wasn’t expecting to though. While I’ve always marveled at Bakerella’s beautiful cake pop creations, I know my limits and I know that I’m no cake (pop) decorator. When Foodbuzz asked me if I’d like to participate with a few other bay area bloggers in the event, I automatically said yes for the sole reason of meeting Bakerella and eating cake. Then after I said yes I realized that I actually had to make cake pops to bring too. Cake pops that the entire Foodbuzz team would see. Cake pops that other bloggers would see. Cake pops that Bakerella would judge?!
I immediately called my friend Ashley who is known in our group of friends for always bringing beautiful cake pops to any barbecue or party. Then I kidnapped her and her child and took them to Michael’s with me to buy candy melts, lollipop sticks and the worst food-safe markers I’ve ever tried.
Then I got to work!
I used boxed carrot cake and delicious crack Betty Crocker frosting to make my pops. Then I formed the cake balls into pudgy triangles and dipped them into yellow, orange and white candy melts. A few expletives were uttered and a few pops were “confiscated” (for the greater good), but I was pleased with the final outcome because even though I knew they weren’t the most detailed and beautiful cake pops ever made, they were freaking delicious.
And what’s a beautiful cake pop worth if it tastes like crud?
The answer, friends, is nothing.
And yes, I really wore matching Halloween booties while I baked. Normal people match their clothes to their baked goods, right?
Gina ended up winning the contest and the girl deserved it, too! Her cake pops are the ones right in front of Bakerella in the photo below and were all shaped like different Halloween characters. Too cute! I wish I had that talent. Instead, I just have candy corn socks and triangular cake pops.
Candy Corn Cake Pops
Ingredients:
1 box carrot cake
1/2 can vanilla frosting
1 bag white candy melts
1 bag orange candy melts
1 bag yellow candy melts
lollipop sticks
Directions:
Bake the cake according to box directions and let cool completely. Then, transfer it into a large mixing bowl and break it up with your hands. Add the frosting and mix together. Then, form triangles out of small ping-pong sized balls of cake and place on a wax paper lined plate. Repeat until you have desired amounts of cake pops then place cake triangles into the freezer and let sit for an hour.
Melt each color candy melt in a separate bowl in the microwave for a minute each. Stick end of each lollipop stick in the melted candy (this will help the cake pops stay on the stick!). Working one at a time, dip cake triangle into the yellow candy then stick on the lollipop stick. Then, dip into the orange and finally the white. The frosting should harden in only about five minutes.
Continue with each cake pop and store in the fridge. There are many different ideas for cake pop “carriers” but I just used an old egg crate!
Khushboo
October 24, 2011 at 4:12 amI’m really not a fan of candy corn but these look DELICIOUS! – such a great twist!
Kathryn
October 24, 2011 at 4:13 amI still think these are pretty cute even if they didn’t win and it sounds like such a fun day!
Lys
October 24, 2011 at 4:17 amAw super cute! Was Bakerella nice as she seems on her blog, or did you not get the chance to really talk as you were at a cakepop contest?
jenna
October 24, 2011 at 7:57 amshe was so friendly and cute! We got to chat for a few minutes and she was very, very sweet. I wish there was more time!
Erika - The Teenage Taste
October 24, 2011 at 4:24 amSorry to hear you didn’t win, Jenna. I still think these cake balls look fabulous though! They are so festive! 🙂
Heather
October 24, 2011 at 4:34 amYour shirt is adorable. May I borrow it? 😉 I totally admire you for going outside of your comfort zone and doing this contest. That is so inspiring! I hope you had a blast. And your cake pops look like the perfect trick-or-treat gift!
Blog is the New Black
October 24, 2011 at 4:43 amWhat the WHAT! You met her?! I’m so jel! And your booties are amazing.
Em
October 24, 2011 at 4:48 am🙂 Adorable cake pops.
Very fun event!
Molly @ RDexposed
October 24, 2011 at 4:49 amThose slipper socks look like a Target purchase which were probably throw into the cart after first touch? The candy corn cake pops that you made are cuter than the slipper ones though.
jenna
October 24, 2011 at 7:56 ambahahahaha maybeeeee 😉
Heather (Heather's Dish)
October 24, 2011 at 4:53 amthese are super creative…i don’t love candy corn, but i’ll take it if it’s in cake form 🙂
Sally
October 24, 2011 at 4:56 amHow many pops does one recipe yield? Thanks!
jenna
October 24, 2011 at 7:56 amprobably about 30—but I only ended up with 15 because I didn’t make them all and just wanted the perfect number for the event.
Lindsay @ biking before bed
October 24, 2011 at 4:56 amYou would have totally won if there was a cake pop + clothes matching contest. And that’s what counts right?
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
October 24, 2011 at 5:04 amThese are SO cute Jenna!! And what a cool opportunity to meet Bakerella! I remember as a kid, I absolutely adored Betty Crocker frosting. There were definitely several finger dips into the jar every time I baked with it.. and maybe a few Oreo dunks too! 😉
Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter)
October 24, 2011 at 5:10 amThose are adorable, and I love those candy corn slippers haha I hope you wore them to the event. 😉
Amanda
October 24, 2011 at 5:17 amI LOVE your cake pops! I think those are absolutely adorable…along with your matching candy corn booties. 🙂
I’m a big fan of candy corn, but I recently learned that most contain gelatin, which I’d prefer not to eat (I try to eat mostly vegan). I attempted to make my own, but subbed maple agave blend in for the agave and ended up with maple candies! Still delicious, but they didn’t satisfy my candy corn craving. Maybe I’ll give it another go and follow the directions!
Ashley
October 24, 2011 at 5:19 amYour cake pops look cute! What a fun event… I was thinking of making Halloween cake pops for a Halloween party… hmmm…
Jackie
October 24, 2011 at 5:25 amwow, those are the cutest! Also I love the slipper socks 🙂
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
October 24, 2011 at 5:36 amCutest thing ever! Love the slippers too btw 🙂
Hilliary@HappilyEverHealthy
October 24, 2011 at 5:42 amSorry to hear that you didn’t win, but I think these cake pops are adorable! Candy corn is my favorite halloween candy! Love the slippers as well btw!
jenna
October 24, 2011 at 5:44 amhow awesome!! this sounds like so much fun. and can i say…your’s looked really good…you chose a hard one!! gosh! love the slippers.
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
October 24, 2011 at 5:47 amThat’s so cool – I love Bakerella! And your candy corn cake pops look wonderful (and perfect for someone like me who hasn’t actually gotten the courage to make their own cake pops!)!!
Nicole @ Giraffelegs
October 24, 2011 at 6:00 amso cute!
Heather M
October 24, 2011 at 6:04 amThose are adorable! Mine are never perfect either but they always taste good.
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
October 24, 2011 at 6:08 amHaha…adorable Jenna! Love this post.
Cait's Plate
October 24, 2011 at 6:25 amGAH! LOVE Bakerella. It’s so wonderful to see her happy and healthy!
Your cake pops are about 1000x better than mine would ever be – so I’m completely impressed.
Abby
October 24, 2011 at 6:31 amhow fun is that! I would vote for your cake pops.
Heather @ girlyeverafter
October 24, 2011 at 6:39 amI’ve never attempted to make cake pops, 1) because I’d eat them before I could share, but 2) because I’m not creative or have the patience. I love the candy corn idea, so cute and festive!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
October 24, 2011 at 7:17 amThese are so cute! I love that you used carrot cake mix 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
October 24, 2011 at 7:23 amha, your pops still look good!! Much better than mine would have looked!
Leslie Means @ Her View From Home
October 24, 2011 at 7:26 amThose are so cute!! Oh my gosh – how am I going to choose what dessert to make my girls and my niece for our Halloween meal?! Perhaps I’ll make several things – love these!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
October 24, 2011 at 7:28 amYours are still super cute and the best part to me (a non candy corn lover) is that they look like candy corn but don’t taste that way! 🙂
Krystina (Organically Me)
October 24, 2011 at 7:32 amHahaha, those are too cute! 🙂
Gillian G. @ When Bread Is Broken
October 24, 2011 at 7:58 amthat looks like fun! those are on my baking bucket list.
i usually end up wearing some of the baked good with the baked good, so yeah, i think you’re normal. thank goodness for aprons.
Gina
October 24, 2011 at 8:18 amHi Jenna,
It was such a pleasure meeting you and your pops were so cute. Thanks for the mention, that was really sweet of you. I can’t wait for the festival, I just love those socks you are rocking, thinking maybe festival socks would be in order. I can’t wait to try one of your recipes.
-Gina-
Amy
October 24, 2011 at 8:30 amGoodness, these are adorable! ..Kind of makes me want to try my hand at cake pops again (tried once before… muttered a LOT of expletives, and haven’t been brave enough to try since… at least they were yummy, right?!)
stevie
October 24, 2011 at 8:39 amYou’re cake pops are super cute though and could definitely make the average baker impress others at halloween parties!
Urban Wife
October 24, 2011 at 8:47 amJenna, these are cute no matter what you say! 🙂
Cat @Breakfast to Bed
October 24, 2011 at 8:52 amThe slippers MAKE IT.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
October 24, 2011 at 9:49 amThese are such a great idea!
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine
October 24, 2011 at 9:49 amUm, that is awesome! And I really, really need those slippers in my life.
Liz @ Southern Charm
October 24, 2011 at 9:50 amI like these! They are cute in the rustic way and they totally work!
… and now I’m craving carrot cake!
Heather
October 24, 2011 at 10:08 amI love making cake pops, but I still have a long way to go decorating wise before I’d even come within a mile of Bakerella’s skills! Oh well, they’re fun to try and perfect!
Cute candy corn ones :-).
Ella, RD
October 24, 2011 at 10:10 amLOVE!! those are so cute, and you get an A for effort!
Celia
October 24, 2011 at 10:13 amThose are adorable!!! 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
October 24, 2011 at 11:21 amyour cake pops are adorable, Jenna!
And I am digging those slipper shoes. Toooooooo cute! 🙂
Most of all…meeting Bakerella. Wow how fun! What an awesome event and I bet it was amazing seeing all those beautiful cakepops and being with such talented bakers and tasting everything 🙂
kathleen @ the daily crumb
October 24, 2011 at 11:22 amgenius!
and loving the booties 🙂
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
October 24, 2011 at 11:26 amSo cute! I love the idea of cake pops but not sure how much I like them in reality. haha
Moni'sMeals
October 24, 2011 at 11:41 amI just bought her book! I would of loved to be there, that is awesome you got to go.
Those are the cutest cake pops ever! GREAT Idea. 🙂 I think I need to make these!
visda
October 24, 2011 at 11:45 amDear Jenna, it was great meeting you and the other bloggers at foodbuzz. I also loved your cute triangle cake pops. They looked adorable and unique. Looking forward to seeing you at the foodbuzz festival.
Traci B
October 24, 2011 at 12:01 pmI think your cake pops are adorable!!
Jennifer
October 24, 2011 at 12:46 pmSo cute! I always have a problem making the candy coatings fully cover the cake pops..did you add oil or anything to make it smoother and melt?
Carissa @ ChoiceSustenance
October 24, 2011 at 12:58 pmThese are so cute! And I love the slippers. I’m always wearing silly fuzzy socks around the house. It’s just cozy!
meredith (Pursuing Balance)
October 24, 2011 at 1:36 pmi love these! i am supposed to bring dessert to a potluck on friday and these would be awesome . . . but i wonder how difficult they are to make? also, i have kind of a silly question . . . since you are dipping the cake pop in the frosting instead of spreading it on, the white candy corn tip just covers the middle orange frosting, correct? since the orange part would get over the entire top 2/3 of the cake pop if you dip it, right? thanks!
Aleyta
October 24, 2011 at 3:55 pmYou met her!!!! ahhhhh so lucky she’s amazing. Photos look great. You sure are talented.
BethT
October 24, 2011 at 4:05 pmThese look even better in your photos! You’re a winner in my book :p
Kelly
October 24, 2011 at 4:42 pmI am sitting here (not so) secretly longing for the details on the outfit you are wearing in the above photo (or at least the top half because I have no idea what kind of pants/skirt you are wearing!) I am in love with both pieces! Where are they from? 🙂
jenna
October 24, 2011 at 4:59 pmthanks! The blouse was from Jcrew outlet two years ago…and the cardigan was from Banana Republic last summer. On the bottom I’m wearing a red pencil skirt that I found at a thrift store and “borrowed” flats from my mom’s closet. 🙂
Sarah
October 24, 2011 at 4:51 pmYour cake pops are the CUTEST.
Not the slippers so much.
Amy
October 24, 2011 at 8:36 pmI love your slippers! It is essential to coordinate with your baked goods I feel 🙂
stephanie
October 24, 2011 at 9:50 pmyour cake pops are adorable and so are your slippers. Good job. ;D
Wendi
October 24, 2011 at 10:02 pmHey hun! Your cake pops are oh so cute…I could almost eat them up. Wait, I totally can! Lol. Not to mention the matching slipper socks. LOVE them! Great job, girly 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
October 25, 2011 at 2:15 amOMG, your slippers are awesome!! I love that you match your baked goods to your clothing!
K
October 25, 2011 at 3:44 amVery cute. But I am wondering why you used boxed cake mix and canned frosting when you are such an experienced baker? Was it a contest requirement?
jenna
October 25, 2011 at 6:38 amnope–it was strictly a timing thing! I would have loved to make my own cake mix but didn’t have enough time.
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