Pie Pops!

I am always so inspired by the amazing blogs out there and how many goodies I want to try! There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day anymore!  I have yet to try these myself but could not resist re-posting them from famous blogger Bakerella.
What an awesome idea!  You want to eat pie without the guilt and try different flavours without having a big slice....perfect reasons to make pie pops!

I am reblogging the recipe from the following link - Bakerella - Easy as Pie and some of the amazing photographs from the recipe on this link - Luxirare.com - Pie Pops. Please go and check them out. You'll love them!

Bakerella's Pie Pops

The Pie Pops really are easy. And if you have a little one around, you don’t even have to lift a finger. They can do all the work and tell you how to make them, too.

The following commentary is from my sweet “little miss bakerella.” She talked and I typed. So here goes… instructions in italics from an eight year old.

I’m getting ready to show you how to make your very own pie pops. They’re not made from candy, but they’re made out of dough. It’s gonna be a baketastic time!

Sprinkle a pinch of flour onto the dough.

Now we flop it onto the other side and do the cookie cutters.

ME: Dusting with a little bit of flour on both sides will make the dough easier to work with and move around.

Now we do the first cookie cutter. It feels great to do the first one.
There’s a lot more to be done, but still, it’s worth it.

I’m trying to get close to the other hearts because it will give us more space for the cookie cutters.

ME: If you’re careful you can get enough for 8-9 pie pops from a 9-inch pie crust.

It’s time for the circles. Remember, I’m doing the same thing except it will be easier.

ME: The circle shapes are easier to assemble than the heart shapes because they give you more room in the center for the filling.

This is gonna be all circles here.

Time to get off the scraps. We don’t want those Nuh-uh! You can use the scraps for a different piece of dough.

ME: What she means is… you can save the dough scraps. Roll flat and re-use.

Now it’s time for pressing down the lollipop sticks.

Now, get only one cherry and a little bit of juice. Put it right in the center or it will squeeze out way too much.

ME: pie filling = juice :)

Ummm… as I said before, don’t put too much juice or it will squeeze out because you got to press down or it won’t bake very good in the oven.

ME: We used rolled pie crusts and canned cherry pie filling to play with these. Easy and fun for both of us.

It’s time for sealing it. What you do is, you break a lollipop stick into a small piece and you press it down all around it. (But not too hard.)

ME: Using a short piece of lollipop stick helps you not to mess up the neighboring pie pops when you seal the two pieces of dough together.

Now you take a baking brush and you crack an egg. Don’t put the egg yolk in. Put the egg whites in a little bowl. Get the brush and put some of the egg whites on it. Now brush it onto the front of the dough.

ME: Brush the tops of the pies with egg whites.

Now we got some pistachios and we put it onto the dough, instead of cherry. But I must say, it was mighty tasty.

ME: Ha! Guess you can tell she doesn’t eat too many pecans or … pistachios either for that matter. We did make a few pie pops using a pecan pie filling that I whipped together, but I still need to finesse the ingredients on that one before I post a recipe.

The pops baked in the oven on 375 for about 12-15 minutes or until the tops started to brown. Remove, cool and enjoy!

I thought I would love these more than I did. But… (and I can’t believe I’m saying these words) … They needed more fruit! A little too much pastry to pie filling for me. But still good, still fun to do and still super-cute!

Here are a few more of those stunning photographs from

 Luxirare's awesome Pie pops.

Blackberry

Apple

Pumpkin

Have fun!

Cars2 - Not only Lightening McQueen!

I have done numerous Lightening McQueen cakepop orders for Cars2 birthday themes but this new one was a lot of fun because I had to make Mater, Luigi & Guido!

Pink Marshmallow Pops

This is a wonderful and very easy recipe to make marshmallow treat pops from Hostess {with the Mostess} 

What you will need:

Marshmallows

Pink coloured chocolate 

pink Smarties (or similar)
white nonpareils
lollipop sticks

Directions:

1. Insert the lollipop sticks into the marshmallows & set aside.

2. Melt the chocolate in the microwave careful not to burn it.

3. Dip each marshmallow (with stick) into the melted chocolate, until about ½ of the marshmallow is coated.

4. Sprinkle with nonpareils and top with a pink Smartie while chocolate coating is still wet.

Enjoy!

How to Melt Chocolate

I found this incredibly helpful article on  http://candy-recipes.blogspot.com/ . An awesome blog for anything related to yummy sweet stuff!

How to melt chocolate is a basic need-to-know for making cakepops. 

Melting Chocolate

Melting chocolate is not the same as tempering chocolate, although melting is a necessary step in the tempering process. Melting chocolate can be accomplished in a microwave or over a hot-water bath. There are a few fundamental guidelines to successfully melting chocolate:
Make sure the chocolate is chopped into uniform pieces to ensure even melting. Never try to melt large bars or blocks of chocolate that have not been chopped. 
Avoid all contact with water! Chocolate will seize and become unworkable if it comes into contact with even a few droplets of water. Make sure your bowls, workstation, and spatulas are completely dry. 
Melt the chocolate slowly over low heat. Chocolate is very delicate and can become lumpy or grainy if overheated. 
Stir the chocolate frequently with a rubber spatula, once the outer edges start to melt. 
Chocolate retains its shape when melted, so the only way to know if it is truly melted is to stir it. Do not rely on appearances alone. 

Melting Chocolate in the Microwave

The microwave is a great tool for melting chocolate. If used properly, it can melt chocolate more quickly than a double boiler with minimal effort and mess. The most critical part of melting chocolate in the microwave is choosing an appropriate container. Ideally, you want to melt your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl that remains cool or only slightly warm after several minutes of near-continuous microwaving. If the bowl is too hot for you to handle after it has been microwaved, it is too hot for your chocolate. If you have overheated your chocolate, immediately pour it into a cool bowl add chunks of unmelted chocolate, and stir continuously.

It is preferable to melt your chocolate on a low (50%) power setting, to avoid scorching or burning it. If your microwave does not have this option, heat the chocolate in shorter intervals and stir between each bout of heat. Additionally, if your microwave does not have a turntable that rotates the bowl of chocolate, manually turn the bowl each time you stop and stir the chocolate.

It is very difficult to determine exact microwaving times, as it can vary depending on microwave wattage, quantity of chocolate, and even the cocoa butter content of the chocolate. However, as a rough guide, estimate about 1 minute for 1 ounce of chocolate, 3 minutes for 8 ounces of chocolate, 3.5 minutes for 1 pound of chocolate, and 4 minutes for 2 pounds. Run the microwave in 30 second-1 minute increments, stirring in between and rotating the bowl if necessary. Finish heating when most, but not all, of the chocolate is melted. Stir the chocolate continuously until it is smooth, shiny, and completely melted.

Melting Chocolate With a Double Boiler

The traditional method of melting chocolate is to use a double boiler. A double boiler is a specialized set of pans consisting of a saucepan that holds hot water, and a bowl that fits securely over the saucepan. Chocolate is placed in the top bowl and allowed to melt over gentle, indirect heat. If you don’t own a double boiler, any metal or glass bowl that fits snugly over the top of a saucepan can be used.

Begin by filling the saucepan with hot water from the tap. You want enough water to provide heat, but not so much that the bottom of the chocolate bowl touches the water. Heat the saucepan over low heat until it just begins to simmer, then turn off the stove and place the chocolate bowl over the water. If you are melting large amounts of chocolate, begin with 1/3 of your final quantity and melt in batches, waiting until the chocolate in the bowl is melted before adding more unmelted chunks. Let the chocolate begin to melt, and then stir it gently with a plastic spatula. When almost all of the chocolate is melted, life the top bowl from the saucepan and set it on the counter. Stir continuously until it is shiny, smooth, and completely melted.

Melting Chocolate With Liquids

Many recipes call for melting chocolate along with liquids like milk, cream, water, or liqueurs. Melting chocolate with liquids is often faster and more convenient, since it often speeds melting times and prevents common chocolate problems like overheating. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when melting chocolate with other substances.

Chocolate should never be melted with very small amounts of liquid. Always use at least 1 tablespoon of liquid for every 2 ounces of chocolate. This prevents the dry particles (cocoa and sugar) in the chocolate from binding together and becoming lumpy. Very dark chocolates may require more than this guideline, so be prepared to add another spoonful or two of liquid if necessary. When adding large quantities of liquid, add it all at once, rather than in small amounts, to prevent the chocolate from thickening.

Cold liquids should never be added to melted chocolate, as it can cause the chocolate to seize. Instead, ensure that your liquids are warm (but not boiling) when you add them to chocolate. Additionally, many recipes, like ganache, call for hot liquids to be poured over chopped chocolate. The heat from the liquid melts the chocolate, while the room temperature chocolate cools down the liquid. If you are following this method, allow the hot liquid and chocolate mixture to sit for a few minutes, then gently whisk them together until completely incorporated. Another useful tool for combining chocolate and hot liquids is an immersion blender. This handheld gadget does an excellent job of creating a smooth emulsion without incorporating air bubbles. Food processors, blenders, and electric mixers can also be used at low speeds.


Please go and check out Elizabeth Labau's blog http://candy-recipes.blogspot.com/ or join her at http://candy.about.com/ for candy recipes, tutorials and all candy-related yummy tidbits!

Oreo Cakepops

After seeing a recipe for Oreo cakepops recently, I decided to give it a go. They were delicious and my family had great fun devouring them!

Ingredients & Tools:

• Oreo cookies (any flavor)
• Chocolate or Candy Melts
• Lollipop sticks
• Cream cheese
• Wax paper
• Styroform block

Choose your favourite Oreo's.

 For this recipe I chose the Milk Chocolate flavour. In South Africa, we only get one size box of Oreo's.  It is a small box and ended up making 9 cakepops so if you would like more, add more boxes of Oreo's.  Crumble up all the Oreo cookies in a mixer with 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese.

It should be a nice play-dough consistency.

 Roll the mixture into balls and place them on a baking sheet with wax paper on top. Put them in the fridge for 15 minutes to harden.

 Grab a lollipop stick, dip it in the melted chocolate and stick it into the ball about halfway and then stick the cake pop into a polystyrene block or, here I used an egg carton, which is perfect for putting back into the fridge for the sticks to set.

Now your cakepops are ready for dipping. I dip them once and then let them dry, stuck into the polystyrene block and then I dip them again to get a really nice finish.

Before the second coat is fully dry, you can sprinkle whatever sprinkles you want.  Here I used Brown Non-Pareils, Chocolate Vermicelli and Sugar crystals grounded with Chocolate Chips.

and all done!

Enjoy!

Bakerella's Basic Cakepops

 I know a lot of you have been asking how to make basic cakepops. Famous blogger Bakerella published this video on Youtube on how to make cakepops and I found it very useful to the 'first-time' cakepop maker.

Some things you need to know:-

If you are South African like me, we do not get Candymelts here so I use plain white chocolate instead and I add colour to the chocolate with powdered food colouring. Add  a teaspoon or two of sunflower oil to the melted chocolate because it tends to be too thick.

Happy Cakepoppin!

http://www.bakerella.com/

Work, work, work!

I am busy making Oreo pops and will put the post up as soon as I am done.

Cake Pop Insanity!: Troubleshooting Cake Pops

I found this great article on the problems so many people have when making cake pops.  The article was written by Christine - Cake Pop Insanity at http://www.crickpop.com.

Cake Pop Insanity!: Troubleshooting Cake Pops:
Having a hard time making cake pops?  Cake pop fail completely?  Do you wonder how everyone else ends up with gorgeous, adorable, cute cake pops, and yours look like lumps on a stick (if they don't fall off the stick first!)?  Well, you've ended up in the right place. 

I have found that the most difficult thing about making cake pops is just getting started.  My first cake pop experience was a total disaster.  It took me a few weeks and a lot of research to finally figure out what I was doing wrong.  So, in hopes of saving you time, as well as helping to keep you excited about cake pops (they are really fun!), I have created a troubleshooting guide for cake pops.  

Problem	Solution
Cake balls won’t hold a ball shape.	You’re using too much frosting.  Either add more cake, or start a new batch.
Cake balls won’t stick together.	You don’t have enough frosting in your cake crumb mix.  Add a little more until your cake balls stick together.
Cake ball falls off the stick.	You’ve used too much frosting in your mix, creating a very soft cake ball.  Add more cake, or just start over.  Use less frosting next time. Keep your cake pops small.  They will have a better chance of staying on the stick if they're between 1.25 and 1.5 inches in diameter. You didn't refrigerate your cake balls long enough.  Make sure that they are well-chilled before putting on the stick and dipping. You didn’t dip your stick into melted candy coating before inserting it into the cake ball.  Make sure that this step isn’t overlooked.
My candy coating/ chocolate coating is thick and lumpy.	Your temperature that you’re melting your coating with is too hot.  Keep your candy temps less than 100 degrees- use a candy thermometer. You’ve gotten water or something that is water-based in your coatings.  It can’t be salvaged for dipping, but you can use it as glue for decorations on the cake pops. Add an oil-based thinning agent, such as Crisco shortening, or Paramount Crystals.
The coating on my cake pops has cracked.	The cake balls were too cold before dipping.  Don’t work with frozen cake balls.  Allow the cake balls to warm up before dipping. The cake balls were too tightly rolled.  Allow some time after removing from the refrigerator for expansion to occur before dipping. Uneven coating.  Really thin or uncoated areas in the candy coating after dipping will create weak areas on the surface.  As the cake ball expands, this weak spot will be where the crack forms.  Make sure your cake pop is completely well-dipped.
Oil is seeping through the coating on my cake pop.	Air bubble holes in the coating.  As the cake expands under the coating, oils in the cake mix will try to escape through any opening they can find!  Pop the air bubbles with a toothpick as the coating is wet (time consuming, and you’ve got to be eagle-eyed to catch every air bubble!).  Try to dam up the hole with a little extra candy coating.  This is a messy option that leaves unprofessional results. Dab-dry the oil as it seeps with a paper towel.  Eventually it will stop, and the hole won’t really be all that visible. My favorite solution is to completely omit the oil when baking the cake mix.  Yes, OMIT it.  It eliminates the oil seepage problem in my experience.  And you’re reducing calories in the process!

One more tip, but this is about decorating the cake pops. I love using edible ink pens to draw faces or designs on my cake pops. Some people have trouble making edible ink go on nicely on the cake pop. First, make sure you're using a good quality edible ink pen. I use Aetco or Americolor edible ink pens, and I found them on Amazon. They work best if your candy coating is dry and fairly oil-free. If you use a lot of Crisco shortening to thin your candy coating, then your pens won't draw on your cake pops well at all- they make the coating fairly oily. Using Paramount Crystals to thin your coating makes for nice, smooth coating and won't add greasiness, which makes drawing on the pops a breeze.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cakepop

I have been dying to try some new cakepop flavours (the inside sponge cake). I normally only make vanilla, chocolate and red velvet and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to make a new flavour.......

Lemon Poppy Seed Cakepops.

I love all the little black seeds in the batter.

I prepared the batter as I normally do but with lemon poppy sponge cake and vanilla frosting. I rolled the batter by hand into balls.

Once refrigerated for 15 minutes, I took the balls out and dipped the lollilop stick in the melted chocolate and inserted it into the rolled ball.

I put them back into the fridge for the sticks to set for 15 minutes. Now these are ready for dipping.

I like to double dip mine as I find you get a better finish. I dipped each cakepop first in white chocolate and then in yellow chocolate.

For the decorating, I used yellow sugar crystals and a white fondant flower. When I use the sugar crystals, I sprinkle them on the wet cakepop over a bowl to avoid wasting the crystals that fall off.

And the result....

Yummy!

Fox 8 Recipe Box: Cake Pops -- WJW

I found this great video on Fox 8 Recipe Box that shows you how to make cakepops the same way I do.
  

Natalie's Cake Pops: Watermelon Cake Pops

Natalie's Cake Pops: Watermelon Cake Pops: "I had this idea that I could dip my Cake Pops twice in two different colors of candy coating. I began to daydream about my new plan and ..."

Natalie's Cake Pops: Strawberry & Cream Cake Pops

Natalie's Cake Pops: Strawberry & Cream Cake Pops: "My new Strawberry & Cream Cake Pops are so YUMMY ! These Cake Pops are sure to be a huge hit at any event! They are a perfect combination ..."